tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55733698393111137502024-02-07T04:33:33.260-08:00Health & FitnessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-4023534157416567782013-11-16T06:55:00.000-08:002013-11-16T06:55:15.112-08:00lose weight program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><u>lose weight program :</u></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNZ86BYDTsbxmaUNEDjd7KHr2njfloBMCmy59G0k_n5rfO6UuIWpwwH3gXklRAomjTuO2htxLgC7Fp0Y3NYbnaLze10iXGs-_1uqIpDaMljGV3DhPOPG0J4zJsrFy9FgJdf2freCzo09x/s1600/Healthy-Tips-For-Weight-Loss-Programs-1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lose weight program" border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNZ86BYDTsbxmaUNEDjd7KHr2njfloBMCmy59G0k_n5rfO6UuIWpwwH3gXklRAomjTuO2htxLgC7Fp0Y3NYbnaLze10iXGs-_1uqIpDaMljGV3DhPOPG0J4zJsrFy9FgJdf2freCzo09x/s320/Healthy-Tips-For-Weight-Loss-Programs-1231.jpg" title="lose weight program" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">When you
follow this program there are several very important points must be followed:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">1 - Not to
drink water while eating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">2- Drink a
liter and a half liter (6 cups) of water daily between meals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">3- Failure
to follow this program more than 13 days and must return to eat normal on the
fourteenth day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">4- Failure
to follow this diet if you suffer from any symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">It is possible to lose 5-7 kg when you follow this program.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"><b><i><u>Method:</u></i></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> coffee without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon: </b> 2 boiled egg + handful of
boiled water spinach + tomato<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> a large piece of steak + salad with oil and lemon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHyFChFz3ygrcj_j2LEz0tcBCgs_LAwwQ9v1XpPRmApyctf8siEg7POMYT9dJvmNiOOOBZrmL7USyMArz7bXxF8D_Buh3JboltQKy-gRWvrOeBlVMFIx7y8hD28A-gFnd5S2ZpxT9HLb7/s1600/hardBoiledEggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lose weight program" border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHyFChFz3ygrcj_j2LEz0tcBCgs_LAwwQ9v1XpPRmApyctf8siEg7POMYT9dJvmNiOOOBZrmL7USyMArz7bXxF8D_Buh3JboltQKy-gRWvrOeBlVMFIx7y8hD28A-gFnd5S2ZpxT9HLb7/s320/hardBoiledEggs.jpg" title="lose weight program" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The second day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> American coffee with a little sugar, biscuits without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> Steak piece big fruit salad (small bowl)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> None<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Third Day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> American coffee with a little sugar + biscuits without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> boiled egg + a few celery (or cauliflower or broccoli) cooked in
water with a little butter + tomato + clementine’s (tangerine)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> 2 boiled egg + a small piece of steak + few of salad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fourth day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> American coffee with a little sugar + biscuits without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> boiled egg + Islands, cooked or boiled with a little butter and
water + a small piece of fish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> Fruit Salad (small bowl) + a small bowl of yogurt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fifth day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning: </b>Islands, cooked with a little butter and water + lemon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> a large piece of fish grilled (non-fat) + tomato<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> a large piece of steak + salad with onions, parsley and lemon
and a little oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sixth Day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> American coffee with a little sugar + biscuits without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> chicken pieces fried or boiled or grilled + salad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> 2 boiled egg + small bowl of boiled carrots or grilled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seventh Day :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Morning:</b> tea without sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Noon:</b> grilled thigh + fruit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Evening:</b> as often as you like, but without bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">++ Upon completion of this diet:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; color: red; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">To lose
weight and maintain the new weight depends primarily on the will and strength
of purpose, so you must learn after losing the excess kilograms how to maintain
your new weight change your style and eating habits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-88518724734811666862013-11-15T16:46:00.001-08:002013-11-15T16:46:27.974-08:00how to get rid of bad dog breath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Bad Breath in Dogs</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindcs0HlUXC4xrw4c6RtvZumV0vTXZRZkBTxKtimlgU7H6UIvQUsJ9skTjIuZi6QV15EeDLZ9GlZ4rA43LoH4f70nDGr3RN-2irFSqWoZC2SvmdVoblDOfaE5_ULHTkAzUY_TEh1dEbvX9/s1600/dog-dentist-Jax-Beach-Fl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to get rid of bad dog breath" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindcs0HlUXC4xrw4c6RtvZumV0vTXZRZkBTxKtimlgU7H6UIvQUsJ9skTjIuZi6QV15EeDLZ9GlZ4rA43LoH4f70nDGr3RN-2irFSqWoZC2SvmdVoblDOfaE5_ULHTkAzUY_TEh1dEbvX9/s320/dog-dentist-Jax-Beach-Fl.jpg" title="how to get rid of bad dog breath" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>how to get rid of bad dog breath ?</u></b><br />
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We all know bad breath, also known as halitosis .Bad breath is the result of the accumulation of bacteria in the dog's mouth. Bad breath can be fixed to indicate that your dog needs to better dental care or that there is something wrong in the digestive tract, liver, or kidneys. In all cases, bad breath is a red flag that should be investigated.<br />
<br />
<b>The cause of bad breath in dogs ?</b><br />
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In most cases, the cause of bad breath in dogs is diseases of the teeth or gums. However, it can be Halitosis fixed also refers to health problems the largest in the mouth and respiratory and digestive system.<br />
<br />
<b>How can I determine the cause of bad breath ?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK3UvmxfOKTOq9y2C9E3psfZHOGaeSWjaTUZHw-ELTk-R07K8L3cAOQU2atxk-U1Jwbhm-Vjr4GlbO7JONFwksNVx4gHgxMkzNan8lIxIVwk5OjuCpwexhx4LrGcl1ALKwc-tzX9RzRpG/s1600/dog_brushing_teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to get rid of bad dog breath" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK3UvmxfOKTOq9y2C9E3psfZHOGaeSWjaTUZHw-ELTk-R07K8L3cAOQU2atxk-U1Jwbhm-Vjr4GlbO7JONFwksNVx4gHgxMkzNan8lIxIVwk5OjuCpwexhx4LrGcl1ALKwc-tzX9RzRpG/s320/dog_brushing_teeth.jpg" title="how to get rid of bad dog breath" width="320" /></a></div>
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Veterinarian is the best person to determine the cause. physical examination and laboratory work may be performed.<br />
<br />
<b>How Is Bad Breath Treated ?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL1rP1-5tUog8NJU4lUJw0jcqLigYpD5ja7PbFvTOMmkqdeDyP3ZWw9_76BjV6xiG0hDlcegs6IEfhGAQudEUDCcQTL5gce73inLTRRE6j7prDk37vwLwMw4kSVA1yd5mWDNYf_mDGM-J/s1600/iStock_000015487711XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to get rid of bad dog breath" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL1rP1-5tUog8NJU4lUJw0jcqLigYpD5ja7PbFvTOMmkqdeDyP3ZWw9_76BjV6xiG0hDlcegs6IEfhGAQudEUDCcQTL5gce73inLTRRE6j7prDk37vwLwMw4kSVA1yd5mWDNYf_mDGM-J/s320/iStock_000015487711XSmall.jpg" title="how to get rid of bad dog breath" width="320" /></a></div>
Treatment depends on the diagnosis of your veterinarian. If the cause is the digestive system or defect in the liver, kidneys, or lungs, in your dog. Please consult your veterinarian about the steps that must be taken.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How can I prevent the presence of bad breath ?</b><br />
<br />
Many people think that bad breath in dogs, caused by the big age, but this is not true<br />
+ Examination work for the dog continuously to make sure he has no problems that may cause bad breath.<br />
+ make certain your vet monitors and tracks the state of your dog’s teeth and breath.<br />
+ Feed your dog , easy-to-digest food.<br />
+ Please be sure to use toothpaste dogs<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-89905405160887953142013-11-09T13:22:00.000-08:002013-11-09T13:30:55.706-08:00Sore Chest Muscles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sore Chest Muscles:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Chest pain
due to inflammation of the muscles is a very common phenomenon in athletes and
older people. If this is not a life-threatening situation, it can be
inflammation of the chest muscles weaken and can cause severe pain and
discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQm9dvlCDsLsc9w5mPV-PPmtbUcoKbbHaGUpv_F_frDo2gLdFbQscCqfmxb795V7dIrPVUk1BbuNptTlHBp-9jTL5qqlHx7yOnqyFuoyOdQRKiwOMIpMOknQce1IYS6flfzUFc9RQDB7r/s1600/cardiac-not-cardiac-chest-pain-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sore Chest Muscles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQm9dvlCDsLsc9w5mPV-PPmtbUcoKbbHaGUpv_F_frDo2gLdFbQscCqfmxb795V7dIrPVUk1BbuNptTlHBp-9jTL5qqlHx7yOnqyFuoyOdQRKiwOMIpMOknQce1IYS6flfzUFc9RQDB7r/s1600/cardiac-not-cardiac-chest-pain-300x199.jpg" title="Sore Chest Muscles" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A sharp,
stabbing pain in the chest, you do not need to be an indication of a heart
attack. Often, it can happen chest pain due to inflammation of the muscles of
the chest. Soreness in the muscles of the chest is often due to repeated and
excessive use of muscles, or due to trauma to the chest. When a strong force is
applied to the chest area, behind the chest muscles can bear, chest muscles get
bruised and wounded. The chest muscle inflammation is common in athletes who
participate in sports requiring physical contact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When we refer
to the chest muscles sore, we are referring to bruises or injuries in the
pectoralis major muscle, pectoral minor muscle and intercostal muscles,
subclavian, and sternal muscles in the chest. Depending on the muscles that
have burst, injured, or bruising, and symptoms can vary. The health care
skilled are ready to live the muscle that has been contusioned, from the
positioning of pain and alternative symptoms concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+
Sore Chest Muscle Symptoms:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Symptoms of inflammation of the muscles of the chest will
vary depending on the severity of the infection in the muscles. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If there is a slight bruise, the pain
and discomfort will feel slightly, however, if the injury is severe, and will
be experienced the following symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+ Pain during
breathing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+ Pain and
tenderness within the affected space<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+ Chest
pain while walking<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+
Inability to move the arm correctly<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">+ Swelling
and redness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLNy4QiP1159gqO_u1R_GU8j9P9WCoalnC9AWorKUF2tBmhHumSwsYhBmOLPHoVB49-0yv08WV5adNp-1raXD3zkbkzEd-8Aj4INpsBHgivrzdrcfiYkho8_7Kcg0lId2X__tVt5VTXeF/s1600/Chest-Pain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Sore Chest Muscles" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLNy4QiP1159gqO_u1R_GU8j9P9WCoalnC9AWorKUF2tBmhHumSwsYhBmOLPHoVB49-0yv08WV5adNp-1raXD3zkbkzEd-8Aj4INpsBHgivrzdrcfiYkho8_7Kcg0lId2X__tVt5VTXeF/s320/Chest-Pain.jpg" title="Sore Chest Muscles" width="320" /></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">+ Causes of Sore Chest Muscles:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Diseases<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Some
diseases, such as fibromyalgia cause muscle degeneration. Thus, muscle soreness
is likely to occur, even in the slightest stress. Similarly, certain infections
may respiratory tract can also cause severe muscle pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Aging<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Aging weakens
the muscles of the chest. Thus, even a tiny amount of strain can cause rupture.
Inflammation of the chest muscles in the elderly is also a result of
respiratory problems above, since they are more susceptible to bronchitis and
pneumonia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Exercises<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Strenuous
exercises during workouts can cause sore muscles. This is because during the
regular session of the exercise, and pectoral muscles of the chest may get a
pull or tense. Sudden jerks while exercising or lifting weights can also lead
to inflammation of the muscles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Persistent
cough<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cough is the
main reason for the soreness in the muscles of the chest. Persistent cough puts
a lot of pressure on the muscles of the chest, the chest wall, resulting
eventually in a wrench. Was found on the chest muscles sore from coughing
mainly in people who suffer from respiratory disorders such as pneumonia,
bronchitis, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-49835645919278177752013-11-07T18:01:00.004-08:002013-11-08T02:35:47.763-08:00Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">The fact Apple cider vinegar and its importance
in the weight loss</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Spread In the latter recently of diet "apple
cider vinegar" where you should Eating a spoon or more of apple cider
vinegar before each meal. For the success of the process of weight loss,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is Really
helps Eating apple cider vinegar in weight loss or is it tricks Marketing
Producers to increase sales?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3txCubypMKwX_ao5Arsg-4jSpC2qNW15c04RiiGXxxwlvzpw6u4tAbtlUjt7mJmlEHcVmSGgcaj20OrfhobE0FZZcWXY4c9TaXdB1HgmZluVfXCwI8CcxLfRzSZbRXmcMtwVX4xfkDqR2/s1600/apple21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3txCubypMKwX_ao5Arsg-4jSpC2qNW15c04RiiGXxxwlvzpw6u4tAbtlUjt7mJmlEHcVmSGgcaj20OrfhobE0FZZcWXY4c9TaXdB1HgmZluVfXCwI8CcxLfRzSZbRXmcMtwVX4xfkDqR2/s320/apple21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />In a study conducted on mice in 2009, it was found
that mice that were given vinegar With High-fat diet she had fat accumulation less
compared to the other group not given vinegar.</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />Theoretically Vinegar works to activate the enzymes
that work on the analysis of fat and therefore the eating vinegar reduces Process
of accumulation of fat.</span><span lang="EN-US">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is well known also that eating vinegar works to slow down Process Dump
Stomach Of food and reduces The effect
of meals High carbohydrate on blood And
so the eating apple cider vinegar (vinegar and in general) Is good for dieters
diet weight loss is that the vinegar does not contain compounds that magic is
working to reduce weight, but must be based dieters on moderation in the
quantities and reduce calories in general and perseverance to follow healthy
eating habits and without it will not work any diet Weight Loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">- How to use apple cider vinegar?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are recommendations scientific way to use it .but
can eat a spoon to two tablespoons. Daily with a glass of water,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">- Risks of apple cider vinegar:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">May be eating apple cider vinegar in big quantities
health hazard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Can that react
apple cider vinegar with drugs for heart disease and diabetes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">- Apple cider vinegar Composite High acidity </span><span lang="EN-US">must</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> be mixed with
a quantity of water or juice Because vinegar Center harms the mouth, teeth, and
members of Body's internal organs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">- Must Diabetic patients to consult a doctor before
using apple cider vinegar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">- If does advise using apple cider vinegar?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The answer Depends on the way you use apple cider
vinegar,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where
it can be added to food as the authority soup in small quantities But using it
on a daily basis and has frequently carries a health hazard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">In all cases,
you should consult your doctor before using apple cider vinegar.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">- Other benefits of apple cider vinegar:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> * </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Acne treatment:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Apple
cider vinegar effective treatment. To get rid of acne, where he works to kill
the bacteria that cause these grains as well as regulate the level of acidity
in the body, and the absorption of excess fat in the skin.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> *</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Treating
halitosis</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> * </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Get rid of
the unpleasant smell of sweat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-10097026040632342432013-11-04T14:52:00.001-08:002013-11-04T14:52:32.830-08:005 Healthy Eating Benefits You Never Thought About<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEfshYX5bbClovh3_-ZtnJfJCKcnLuD8I0QqTZywn8mHajz6gBcKAhR78Df3Zl6NVOkgbjbyytt6nqhvm5bGcxUn9Rfw3WgfmJanZgm3KyVzkZfv_YWdpDqhyphenhyphenzm75vOqtCuX51EqZn4Gm/s1600/images+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEfshYX5bbClovh3_-ZtnJfJCKcnLuD8I0QqTZywn8mHajz6gBcKAhR78Df3Zl6NVOkgbjbyytt6nqhvm5bGcxUn9Rfw3WgfmJanZgm3KyVzkZfv_YWdpDqhyphenhyphenzm75vOqtCuX51EqZn4Gm/s320/images+(3).jpg" width="320" /></a><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
A lot of people mistakenly believe that in order to be eating healthy, you have to be on some sort of diet. You can get healthy eating benefits if you are on a diet but it is not required. Eating healthy involves making changes in the way you live and the way you eat and sticking with these changes for a lifetime. Eating healthy is easy to do if you eat a nutritious and balanced diet that gives your body all the healthy nutrients you need.</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
If you are not sure you are ready to make the necessary changes to your life and your diet, here are some healthy eating benefits to consider.</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<b>Why eat healthy?</b> </div>
<ul style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">One of the rewards of healthy eating habits is you will look and feel better and you will not have to diet to get these results. Eating a well balanced diet provides the nutrients you need to look and feel good. Avoiding fatty foods is a good way to eat healthy and feel better. You do not have to avoid all your favorite foods to eat healthy.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You will be less likely to get some illnesses if you eat healthy. This is an important benefit of a healthy diet. Eating foods rich in vitamins and nutrients will allow your body to better fight off disease and you will be healthy and feel good. This will save you money since you will not be going to the doctor as often or taking as many medications.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You will find that your brain works better. You will be able to think better and faster if you are eating three healthy meals a day and you are not feeling hungry and weak. It is important to have good brain function. You will do better at school or at work if you are eating healthy because your brain also needs the nutrients you get from healthy foods.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You will be stronger and feel better than other people who are not aware of the healthy food benefits. Eating nutritious meals and avoiding bad foods will make you both physically and mentally strong, which can give you and advantage of others at school and work and make tasks you do at home easier as well.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You will find that you get along better with others. When you are eating healthy, you are going to feel better and be happier so that will make your relationships with others better at home, school and work. People will enjoy your company more. Your boss may even notice the improvement in your attitude and demeanor and raise your pay. Being happier and feeling better can help you in so many different ways. Eating a balanced diet is good for you mentally, physically and socially.</li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
To get the full benefits of eating healthy, you should also get regular exercise or participation in sports. The thing to remember about eating healthy is that moderation is the way to go. You can have a little of everything including your favorite foods.</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
Eating smaller servings of your favorite foods will help. Also, try to find similar foods that are better for you. You should not have to stop enjoying food in order to get healthy eating benefits. You do not have to feel like you are missing out on your favorite foods. Just watch what you eat and watch your portions.</div>
</div>
<div id="article-resource" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
If you want to learn about <a href="http://www.mediterranean-food-recipes.com/healthy-eating-tips.html" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">healthy eating benefits</a> and healthy-eating-tips head over to <a href="http://www.mediterranean-food-recipes.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.Mediterranean-Food-Recipes.com</a> now. You will enjoy Mediterranean diet recipes and menus straight from Nuria's family source. The Mediterranean peoples have known how to enjoy life and food in a healthy way for very long. Need more reasons to eat healthy?</div>
</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nuria_Roig" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nuria_Roig</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2935119</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-27902151514170990082013-11-04T14:50:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:50:53.366-08:00Healthy Eating and Why You Should Develop a Healthy Eating Plan<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Now firstly, I do not wish to get people yawning at the thought of another boring piece of text that preaches doom for anyone who actually enjoy eating. In fact, I hope to dispel the widely held but totally false belief that healthy eating and enjoyable eating are completely incompatible.</div>
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There is so much media hype concerning food and how to control what and how we should eat that we lose sight of the fact that ... FOOD IS THERE TO BE ENJOYED.</div>
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In fact, Healthy Eating is not about strict dietary regimes, or depriving yourself of the foods you really enjoy in order to attain a body shape that is quite unnatural. Rather, it's about feeling really good by having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible so that you can enjoy life to the full.</div>
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This can all be achieved by learning some simple nutritional basics and incorporating them in a way that works for you. Then it is all about choice.</div>
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It is not difficult to choose between foods that can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and even cancer and foods that will actually improve your health. Then by choosing from an extensive range of healthy options and by following some simple guideline, you can create and maintain a healthy and satisfying diet that will include a wide variety of delicious foods.</div>
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In the past healthy eating might mean "bland, tasteless and boring" but today, with all the choices we have available, it really can be both "delicious and enjoyable". It is important that we adopt a positive attitude to our food and ensure that food really is one of life's pleasures.</div>
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It is not within the scope of a short article to explore all the ways in which we can ensure that we really are enjoying a diet that is both healthy and satisfying. But there are three basic components that any healthy eating plan should be built around and these are Variety, Balance and Moderation</div>
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o <strong>Variety</strong> - it is extremely important that every diet should include foods of all types, as no one type of food can supply all the essential nutrients that the body needs to grow and remain healthy.</div>
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o <strong>Balance</strong> - means that you eat the correct amounts of food from each food group in order to obtain the nutrients and calories essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle.</div>
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o <strong>Moderation</strong> - it is obvious that any guide to a healthy diet would warn against eating too much of any one particular type of food. Too much is as bad as too little in any Healthy Eating plan.</div>
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As variety is one of the basic components of a healthy eating program, then there is absolutely no reason why anyone should feel unduly restricted in their choice of food. There are certainly sufficient options to choose from so as to ensure that their diet is completely healthy, varied and satisfying.</div>
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Furthermore, as we now have easy access to foods from all around the world we can benefit from a huge variety of tastes and flavors that were not available in days gone by. More importantly, many of the cultures in places such the Near and Far East have developed cuisines, over the centuries, which are recognized as being particularly health promoting, where variety and balance are vital components of their dishes.</div>
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So you can now combine the healthiest dishes from around the world to ensure that your healthy eating plan is completely well balanced and varied.</div>
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There are many books, articles and websites devoted to Healthy Eating that provide important guidelines which will help to ensure that the correct choices are made when deciding to adopt a completely healthy way of eating. So there is no reason why you cannot enjoy your food and maintain the healthy lifestyle that you know is so important.</div>
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So, go ahead, enjoy your food, enjoy a healthy lifestyle.</div>
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If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Healthy Eating and acquire many healthy eating tips that could help you develop your own healthy eating plan then a great place to begin is <a href="http://whyhealthyeating.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Complete Guide to Delicious Healthy Eating</a>. Discover how to make Healthy Eating enjoyable, delicious and fun <a href="http://whyhealthyeating.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">CLICK HERE</a>.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2505678</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-8212756789701465312013-11-04T14:50:00.000-08:002013-11-04T14:50:02.040-08:00Healthy Eating Tips Aimed At Children<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSXohl4t1x29lR8GNAzqKHdDdcpfG4vu5Kx9cxRPxoA1xksLpLJ14zrXr-0LXHwnGF_mLVByEoeJZ_Vbbu4ViMfu0bwfemLNXRAt4koRSJg57MrJTcZux6H-RRHydDNA8Owde2HuK9C5J/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSXohl4t1x29lR8GNAzqKHdDdcpfG4vu5Kx9cxRPxoA1xksLpLJ14zrXr-0LXHwnGF_mLVByEoeJZ_Vbbu4ViMfu0bwfemLNXRAt4koRSJg57MrJTcZux6H-RRHydDNA8Owde2HuK9C5J/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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If you stay on top of the news, you probably already know that obesity is the number one health problem and type II diabetes is becoming epidemic among US children. Yet, many parents are baffled at how to get their children to eat more healthy foods. Getting children to eat healthy isn't as complicated as it first appears. By following a few healthy eating tips for several months to a year, children will begin to prefer healthy food choices, because that's what the body craves, anyway. The tips include healthy choices, variety, color, avoiding junk food and...very important, do-it-yourself instructions.</div>
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Make Healthy Food Choices: Controlling food choices is essential for children to begin eating healthy. Food choices don't have to be controlled in the home if they are controlled at the supermarket, cafeteria and restaurant. If only this tip were used, children would be far healthier than they are today. If it doesn't get into the basket, it doesn't come home. If it doesn't come home, it can't be eaten there. Simply by choosing low fat, non fat, sugar free, and fresh, unprocessed foods, you can deal a death blow to obesity. "But my son won't drink diet soda." Fine, there's the water faucet! Which one of you is responsible for his health? "But my daughter's school serves processed food meals for lunch." Give her no lunch money...Send her with a bag lunch...if they insist she eat their lunch, find a more flexible school or one that serves only healthy food choices. You can always make ice cream or cake an occasional treat, but if someone is loading your child up every day on sugars, fats and salts, they are literally poisoning and addicting the child to things that will destroy their health.</div>
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One 4-year-old I knew naturally preferred vegetables over everything else. Her mother forced her to eat pork chops like mine forced me to eat spinach. If your child naturally prefers things that are healthy, don't fight it. You can find creative ways to add foods like soy beans, nuts and beans that are high in proteins. Don't fight success! Don't accept failure, either. Another family I knew had the mother scurrying to meet every tiny food preference the children had. It turned out that the only thing all of them liked was pizza, beef (especially hamburgers), cheese, corn and ice cream. Needless to say, the whole family struggles with weight issues. The tip of making healthy food choices is only successful if you use the discipline to make those healthy choices consistently. Skipping back and forth can't be an option if your aim is to teach your children to make healthy food choices.</div>
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Use Variety In Texture, Flavor And Color: One of the most helpful tips in aiming kids toward healthy foods is to use a variety. Young children are attracted to bright primary colors, which is one of the reasons yellow corn is popular. I didn't like salad as a kid, but it was always the same...iceberg lettuce and tomatoes...on Thanksgiving we got croutons. There are so many beautiful colors and interesting flavors in the vegetable section, there is no reason to use one boring recipe over and over. Fruits are naturally colorful, full of many nutrients and unprocessed sugar. Fresh fruits are excellent snack and dessert substitutes. Many ideas for variety and color of snacks are in my article <a href="http://www.e-health-fitness.com/healthy-eating/healthy-snack-choices.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Making Healthy Snack Choices</a> which is too long to duplicate here. Please...if you want kids to like vegetables, don't use those mushy canned ones...they have no nutrients and are the most unpleasant things for a kid to eat. Almost everything in cans is also available frozen and is simple to cook, using a microwave. Use pepper, garlic powder, ground dill or basil for added flavor with no salt. Also, use variety in preparation methods by going from stir-fry, to baked, to BBQ, etc. The very changes in texture, color and flavor of foods gives kids an appreciation for the natural flavors of healthy foods.</div>
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Eating Healthy Saves Time And Money: Many people have the misconception that eating healthy is expensive and takes a lot of time. In my personal experience doing both, preparing healthy foods is no more time-consuming than preparing unhealthy foods. In fact, most recipes are faster and easier to prepare, and there's no driving or waiting in line for the prepared foods. Time is just an excuse! As far as cost goes, well, there's a huge difference. Eating healthy is far less expensive. The average family could save at least 75% of their food budget if they switched to fresh meats, fruits and vegetables and eliminated the prepared snacks and meals. Anyone can do this and improve the health practices of their children. All it takes is the decision to change and the discipline to stick to it.</div>
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Do It Yourself-Avoiding Junk Food: You may have noticed I talk a lot about preparing this and cooking that. That's because one of the healthy eating practices every child should learn is the practice of doing it yourself. By doing the cooking yourself, you set the example that it can be done...you don't have to bring your meal home already cooked from the store or restaurant. Doing it yourself puts you in charge of the amount of salt, fat, carbohydrates and proteins in your foods. It's much healthier! Also, one of the things that makes food interesting is cooking it. If your kids get to take part in the preparation, they have a vested interest in eating the foods. You can't do that with dinner-in-a-box.</div>
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When we talk about using "do-it-yourself" to aim your kids toward eating healthy, there is one tip that outweighs all others. If you want your kids to eat healthy, do it yourself. You can't eat ice cream and tell them it's only for grown-ups. While puffing on a cigarette, my Dad told us never to smoke "It's a filthy habit." I'll bet you know how that turned out...four out of five of his children smoked. If you want your kids to eat healthy, set the example by eating healthy, yourself.</div>
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Of course, where kids are concerned, there is no guarantee, but the vast majority of children will eat healthy if their parents make healthy food choices, use variety, plan and prepare the meals, and provide a healthy eating example in their choices. The bottom line in most cases, childhood obesity isn't an epidemic... it's a choice. Choose health!</div>
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Glen Williams is Webmaster for <a href="http://www.e-health-fitness.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.e-health-fitness.com</a>, founder and CEO of EHF, Inc. He has done extensive research on personal and family health and fitness issues and has been helping and advising people on health since 1987. You can comment on his articles at <a href="http://www.e-health-fitness.com/health-forums/index.php?" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Health And Fitness Forums</a>.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/654108</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-88552836146097584212013-11-04T14:48:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:48:52.754-08:00Healthy Eating, Exercise and Lifestyle Guide For Senior Citizens<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Healthy Eating and Lifestyle </div>
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While it is important for people of all ages to stay healthy, it is especially important for senior citizens to maintain healthy eating habits as well as to stay active which is important in the prevention of chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. By practicing healthier living practices, senior citizens can maintain a healthy weight, avoid depression, and stay mentally sharp. Those participating in caring for the elderly should be aware of these healthy living practices and work to both encourage and facilitate them. </div>
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According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a healthy diet includes many different types of food that are rich in nutrients. They have outlined specifically what this eating plan entails at the website.. Because this eating plan is designed specifically for senior citizens, it focuses on the types of foods that are important for preventing common ailments of older Americans like obesity and serious chronic illnesses. </div>
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<b>Healthy Eating 101:</b></div>
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By following some of the tips listed, senior citizens can start a healthier lifestyle today: </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Don't skip meals. It is important to eat regularly in order to maintain normal metabolism and not become tempted to eat higher fat foods when food is consumed.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eat a diet that is high in fiber. By eating foods like whole-grain breads, beans, vegetables, and fruits, you can lower your susceptibility to diabetes and heart disease.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Senior citizens especially should begin to adjust their diet to one that includes less calories and fat because the body will need less as it ages.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Calcium and Vitamin D are very important for nutrition and keeping bones strong. You can get this by either getting in at least three servings of dairy every day, or substituting these with soy-based beverages and proteins.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Senior citizens will have a harder time absorbing adequate amounts of the B12 vitamin. For this reason, it is important to eat cereals fortified with this nutrient or taking vitamin B12 supplements with meals.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Snack the smart way. Senior citizens will want to limit the amount of unhealthy snacking they do which involves foods high in calories and sugars. Instead, keep small portions of dried fruit, peanut butter, or crackers at hand to keep the appetite under control while remaining healthy.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Drink plenty of water. Although senior citizens often feel less thirsty then they used to, it is important to stay hydrated by either drinking water or water-based beverages like tea, coffee, soup, and skim milk.</li>
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<br /><b>Planning and Preparing Meals</b><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
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Sometimes people find it hard to eat healthily because eating is often a social event which involves many people with different eating preferences and goals. While it is important to be able to enjoy a meal with family and friends, it is also important to maintain your own eating integrity by making sure everyone is on board with your personal healthy eating goals. Friends and family, as well as those providing elder care should facilitate healthy eating, not detour from it. The following tips address ways that senior citizens can maintain the healthy eating habits without sacrificing the social aspect of sharing a meal with others or learning to adjust to a lifestyle that involves eating with less people on a day-to-day basis. </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Grocery shopping with others. This can be a fun and smart way to control the cost and quantity of food that you consume. If you don't live with many people, this is a good way to split large-quantity items like potatoes and eggs which you may not be ableto use before expiration. </li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A time saving a smart way to eat healthy is cooking large quantities of food ahead of time and portioning for heating on later dates.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A quick way to prepare meals for yourself or for guests involves keeping frozen or canned fruits and vegetables on hand. Draining and/or rinsing canned foods is a good way to lower sodium or calories in foods that are kept in high sugar or high salt fluids.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eating or preparing a meal shouldn't always be a chore. Trying new recipes or eating outside can be a fun new twist on a meal with someone special.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Try to eat with people you enjoy to be around.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Some senior citizens have difficulty preparing meals, which is why it is important to become informed about home health care agencies or eldercare facilities that can aid in providing meals. The Eldercare Locator number is 1-800-677-1116.</li>
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<br /><b>Loss of Appetite or Desire to Eat</b><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
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There are various reasons for why some senior citizens may not eat as well as they should or lose the desire to eat completely. </div>
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If you find that it is difficult to eat well, then it is best to speak with a healthcare provider or someone involved in your elder care about what can be done to help you eat better. </div>
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Some senior citizens are unable to eat well due to issues involving the condition of their teeth or issues with dentures. Checking with a dentist about physical pain that occurs when eating or other issues can help with these issues that lead to poorer eating habits.</div>
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When senior citizens lose family and friends or become depressed about events in their life, they may lose the desire to eat. In these instances, it is of the utmost importance that these individuals seek help from people they trust like their family, friends, church community, or those assisting with their elder care that will happily help them in finding ways to continue a healthy lifestyle and eating plan.</div>
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Some senior citizens complain that the flavor of foods change when they begin to take certain medications. While it is best to consult with a physician about issues surrounding medication, people can also take vitamin supplements with food that will help them stay healthy.</div>
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If you have someone who assists with your in home care, ask them to be vigilant about helping you eat healthy. Have them remind you to eat, and ask them to lend you a hand in preparing meals that are good for you. </div>
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<b>Healthy Weight</b></div>
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Maintaining a healthy weight is important for being able to function in day-to-day life as well as stay mentally sharp. Senior citizens often lose or gain weigh as they age. If you are unsure about what weight you should maintain, consult your physician.</div>
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<b>Health Risks Associated with Being Underweight</b> </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">poor memory</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">compromised immunity</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">osteoporosis (weak bones)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">decreases strength</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hypothermia (lowered body temperature)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">constipation</li>
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<br /><b>Health Risks Associated with Being Overweight</b><br /><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">type 2 diabetes</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">high blood pressure</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">high cholesterol</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">heart disease</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">stroke (lack of oxygen transported to the brain)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">some cancers</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">gallbladder disease</li>
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Because healthy weights will differ for everyone, it is important to verify with a physician whether it is healthy for you personally to lose or gain weight. </div>
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<b>Staying Active</b></div>
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Participating in regular healthy amounts of physical activity can not only make you feel better, but it can make you less prone to diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. Staying active can be difficult for senior citizens, still it is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. </div>
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The following are some tips for maintaining a lifestyle that incorporates physical activity: </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Know what amount of physical activity is appropriate for you. Everyone has different levels of activity that is safe for them, and while remaining active is important, always consult a health care provider about what is right for your lifestyle.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Take time to warm up, cool down, or take breaks when participating in a session of increased physical activity.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Take it slow. Always start slowly and build up to more intense levels of physical activities.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If you experience any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath during exercise, stop the activity immediately.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Drink water.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dress appropriately if you decide to exercise outdoors. Wear warmer clothes during the winter and wear lighter clothes during the summer while applying sunscreen or wearing sunglasses.</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wear the correct shoes for the activities that you participate in.</li>
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<br /><b>Types of Activity</b><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
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Aerobic activities include activities that increase the heart rate and work the larger muscle groups. You may be able to speak a few words, but would not be able to carry on an entire conversation due to breathing patterns. Some examples of aerobics include: </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">brisk walking</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">water aerobics</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tennis</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">house work</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">active play with children or pets</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">dancing</li>
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Begin incorporating small periods of this activity into your schedule during the week while slowly increasing the duration and frequency as time progresses. It is also important to incorporate different types of exercise that focus on balance and flexibility. Becoming used to a lifestyle with regular patterns of aerobic activity can reduce the effects of aging, control weight, lower risk of heart disease, improve flexibility, increase mood and energy, and expand social networks by meeting new people while doing various activities.</div>
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Strengthening activities involve the use of muscle groups against resistant forces like when lifting weights or doing yard work that involves lifting, digging, or pushing a lawn mower. This type of activity can keep muscles strong, reduce the need for a cane, reduce risk of bone injury, and help maintain a healthy weight.</div>
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Balance activities focus on muscles in specific areas of the body that encourage control as you move through space, reducing the likelihood of falls. This kind of activity could include walking heel to toe, standing on one foot, getting out of a sitting position without the use of the hands, and standing on the tip of your toes. Balance activities can help you stay steady on your feet and reduce the risk of fall and subsequent injury.</div>
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Flexibility activities increase the length of the muscles and can include stretching, yoga, and popular exercise programs like pilates. These activities can maintain the felxibility of joints, prevent stiffness, prevent injuries, and lower stress levels in general.</div>
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Weight-bearing activities require the muscles to work against gravity where the arms or legs bear the weight of the body. Activities like walking, tennis, and climbing stairs can build and maintain bone mass or reduce the risk of bone fractures. </div>
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Some activities incorporate multiple types of strengthening addressed above. What is important is that senior citizens find an enjoyable and do-able activity that will help them incorporate as many benefits as possible which will have far-reaching benefits to their health.</div>
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<b>It's Easy to Stay Healthy</b></div>
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A common misconception is that it takes an excessive amount of time and extra energy to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, by just taking short walks for ten minutes a time or cleaning the house regularly can be practical ways to incorporate different physical activities into your daily schedule. And remember, staying healthy as a senior citizen will have increasing benefits as you continue to age. </div>
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<b>Staying Motivated to Take Care of Yourself</b></div>
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Just because we age doesn't mean that we are any less stressed by occurrences in life that may make us feel bad about ourselves or decrease our motivation to be good to ourselves. If anything, many of the challenges senior citizens face add stress. Losing loved ones and friends or having trouble being independent with the added stressed of disease and functioning due to aging can cause depression or lifestyle changes that contribute to bad health. Here are some important tips for being good to yourself when you may not feel motivated due to circumstances out of your control: </div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Get plenty of sleep</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Stay connected with family and friends</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Join clubs or other social groups that you enjoy</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spend time with people that you enjoy</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Volunteer at organizations in your community</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Work a part-time job that isn't too stressful or demanding</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Watch a funny movie or find a way to laugh</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Take up a hobby that you enjoy</li>
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Most importantly, senior citizens should remember that it is relatively easy and worth-while to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. Be sure to keep family, friends, and those involved in your elder care informed of your goals as they can help assist you. And remembering to eat healthy meals regularly, getting in physical activity, getting enough sleep, and being good to yourself are critical for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.</div>
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The Caring Space<br /><a href="http://www.thecaringspace.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.TheCaringSpace.com</a></div>
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David Crumrine at the Caring Space<br />We are an organization that connects caregivers and care seekers, providing an easy and affordable resource for families seeking care for friends/loved ones and caregivers seeking employment.</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Crumrine" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Crumrine</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3125127</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-8779895140669071792013-11-04T14:47:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:47:50.346-08:00Healthy Eating<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be cleared up, all in one easy sentence. Dieting is all about healthy eating, not to put yourself in a dieting prison. These are questions we have to ask ourselves... because after all we already know all the benefits of eating healthy foods.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaeu4zzAXzPAKjqIo69RPYsKqghxfOi6hXG1GlR17NQjQLuwX3VS_VK0Rkw9jy8zv9rpx1bP16vgzRt6CpXpqwppvH21Vpjk-ZM0Oh1LKOo8fjtWdra_TorMB2Fjpoi2GWiTnP1f0KKLE/s1600/healthy-eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaeu4zzAXzPAKjqIo69RPYsKqghxfOi6hXG1GlR17NQjQLuwX3VS_VK0Rkw9jy8zv9rpx1bP16vgzRt6CpXpqwppvH21Vpjk-ZM0Oh1LKOo8fjtWdra_TorMB2Fjpoi2GWiTnP1f0KKLE/s320/healthy-eating.jpg" width="320" /></a>Although you may find that eating healthy all week is more difficult than simply binging and indulging yourself to high fat, high sugar, high carbohydrate treats around every corner, your body will thank you at the end of the day if you strive to turn around poor eating habits. Keep in mind what you hope to achieve - remind yourself of how lovely and healthy your body is becoming each day as a result of your new eating habits. The goal of any healthy eating regimen is to provide the body with the necessary building blocks in the proper pH such that the pH balance can be maintained easily.</div>
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Instead, look for measures of healthy eating and dieting that will work as a lifestyle change by allowing you to lose the weight and keep it off, in addition to gaining a better sense of your overall health. With an ever expanding population that is beginning to suffer from a variety of diseases and conditions directly related to obesity, consider adopting an alternative lifestyle that includes healthy eating and dieting.</div>
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If a parent is unsure of how to eat a healthy diet, they should talk to their doctor or pediatrician and meet with a nutritionist to learn about healthy eating. However, there are things parents can do to teach healthy eating habits to their children when they are young so that they can maintain a healthy weight as a child and as an adult and also learn healthy eating habits for life. - If you as parents eat healthy nutritious food, your child tends to learn and pick up similar eating habits.</div>
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Vitality - Healthy eating along with exercise will give you tons of energy and make you feel "on top of the world. Live longer, feel great, have tons of energy, look gorgeous, and loose weight... and if that is not tempting enough, what about the thought you could actually give all of the above to your kids. This does not mean that you have to have an extra large meal in the morning. However it does mean that you should find foods that will settle with your stomach and provide a beginning of nutrition for the day. Of course, nutrition and healthy eating go hand in hand; while vitamins and minerals are required, it is also important to get the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Today, we have made nutrition a science; we think that our experts know the secrets to healthy eating.</div>
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The best way to show the correlation between eating healthy and weight loss is to evaluate what you eat in a given day. In addition to ensuring you stick to your goal of healthy eating, planning your meals in advance can save you money on your grocery bill.</div>
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By following a healthy eating plan you will maintain your body in optimal fitness. If you are currently not following a healthy plan you will be surprised that you are most likely not eating enough healthy food. To help you decide on the right plan, bear in mind that eating should be a pleasure.</div>
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Visit LifeHouse Coaching to sign up for "Blueprints for a Healthy Aging" and receive Edi Sowers' f*r*e*e* weekly articles, coaching tips, and special offers. Also if you are looking for more informative articles check out Gabae Weight Loss Articles.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/437784</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-17582821481529462862013-11-04T14:42:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:42:46.242-08:00Five Steps to Fitness Success<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Despite what you might see on TV infomercials or in newspaper ads, there is no magic bullet or miracle pill that will get you fit overnight. No matter what any glamorous hard-body spokesperson says about the newest "revolutionary" exercise machine, diet, or supplementation program- the fact is that achieving fitness success takes time and energy. You can bet that the spokesperson did not get his or her physique by using the "new, amazing de-fat-alizer" machine for 30 seconds a day! He or she is undoubtedly engaged in a fitness program that includes sensible diet and lots of exercise.</div>
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On the other hand, we believe that achieving fitness success is well within everyone's reach. This article will provide you with powerful, effective steps you can take RIGHT NOW that will jump-start your fitness program and get you on track to fitness success.</div>
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THE FIVE STEPS TO FITNESS SUCCESS</div>
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1. Make Changes TODAY!</div>
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2. Decide & Commit</div>
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3. Define Goals</div>
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4. Design Your Road Map</div>
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5. Feel Good!</div>
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Step 1: Make Changes TODAY!</div>
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Achieving FITNESS SUCCESS is all about making consistent incremental improvements over time. Like the power of compounding interest, implementing even small improvements can result in a cumulative snow-balling effect that generates momentum, enthusiasm and results!</div>
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There are specific, immediate changes you can make that will deliver meaningful results:</div>
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MOVE!</div>
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It sounds obvious, but it's truly amazing how much potential is in this simple step. Park at the far end of the parking lot; take the stairs instead of the elevator; chase your grandchildren around. Our bodies were built for movement, and the simple act of moving more is a great way to start your fitness program. Walking is a vastly underrated form of exercise. So is dancing!</div>
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DRINK WATER</div>
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You'll hear different target quantities from different experts, but a good rule of thumb is to drink 8 glasses of water per day. It's a good practice to drink a glass ½ hour before and after meals. Substituting water for less healthy drinks (like soda) will cut calories and reduce intake of artificial flavoring, coloring, etc. Also, increasing water intake will help curb your appetite.</div>
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EAT LESS, MORE OFTEN</div>
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Studies have shown that our bodies operate more efficiently when we spread our food intake our over five or six smaller meals per day, versus the three larger meals to which we've become accustomed. And what grandma told you about eating your vegetables was right on target! Most Americans do not consume enough fruits and vegetables regularly. It's surprisingly easy to shrink the size of meals when you increase your water intake and include more fruits and vegetables.</div>
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KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU EAT</div>
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Another simple yet very powerful tip! Whether you go "all the way" and actually maintain a log of everything you eat, or simply try to do a mental recap periodically during the day, this is a great way to manage your diet. For example, when you get ready to eat dinner, doing a quick review of what you've eaten so far that day will help you make intelligent menu choices.</div>
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STRETCH</div>
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Flexibility is a very important component of overall fitness. A daily routine of basic stretches can greatly improve your mobility in a very short period of time. Just remember: stretching movements should be gentle and gradual, and never jerky or bouncy.</div>
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Once you've made the simple lifestyle changes listed above, you will begin building the positive momentum that will empower you to move aggressively toward your fitness goals!</div>
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Remember:</div>
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It's not about big, sweeping changes: the fact is you CAN NOT become fit in one day. But you can decide TODAY to make a commitment to incremental, consistent improvement that will get you on track IMMEDIATELY.</div>
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Step 2: Decide to Take Better Care of Yourself</div>
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You probably know someone who has experienced health problems that could have been avoided if the person had taken better care of him or herself. How many times have you resolved to begin taking better care of yourself?</div>
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But what does that mean?</div>
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Ask virtually anyone what it means to "take better care of yourself", and undoubtedly you'll hear something like "Get more exercise and eat sensibly". Everyone seems to know that exercise is important to overall health and well-being, and is a big part of taking better care of yourself. We've all seen the reports on TV, in magazines, on the internet: it's an irrefutable fact that people of all ages and fitness levels can reap compelling physical and psychological benefits by engaging in a sensible exercise regimen.</div>
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So...Why are so many people neglecting to engage in an exercise program, when they KNOW that this behavior will improve their health, appearance, attitude, and overall quality of life?</div>
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The answer is simple. They have not yet DECIDED TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES.</div>
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You already know many good reasons to begin an exercise program. You have probably heard (or even used!) at least one of the most common excuses for not beginning a fitness program:</div>
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"I don't have enough time". (probably the number 1 excuse)</div>
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"I won't feel comfortable working out with a bunch of "hard-bodies".</div>
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"It's too expensive".</div>
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Let's BUST these mythical excuses right now!</div>
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"I don't have enough time".<br />There are plenty of busy people who are fit, and plenty of fit people who are busy. The fact is that people who DECIDE to make the time, make the time. It's hard to imagine there are many things in your life more important than your physical well-being, which is what enables you to enjoy all other aspects of your life.</div>
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"I won't feel comfortable working out with a bunch of "hard-bodies".<br />This is an easy one. If you're not comfortable working out in any particular health club, THEN DON'T! There are so many different venues in which you can exercise that you are certain to find the right one with a little homework. See "Should I Join a Health Club".</div>
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"It's too expensive".<br />The expense associated with a fitness program can vary from a multi-thousand dollar investment in home exercise equipment to a zero-cost program that includes walking, jogging and/or calisthenics. If you decide to join a health club, or seek out the services of a personal trainer, then there are of course associated costs. But once again, there are many health clubs with varying fee structures. Do some comparison shopping!</div>
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Consider the following:</div>
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a) What is the ROI (return on investment) for an effective fitness program? How much is it worth to you to improve your overall health and wellness; to have more energy and stamina; to feel better? What is the long-term price of NOT engaging in a fitness program?</div>
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b) What constitutes "expensive"? A health club costing $60 per month breaks out to roughly $14 per week. That's something like $3 per workout, or what most people spend on coffee every day.</div>
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c) Perhaps you fall into a category that qualifies for a discount at a local health club. For example, many clubs have discount membership programs for seniors, employees of local companies ("Corporate Memberships"), referral discounts, etc. Again, doing a little homework can really pay off!</div>
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Now it's just a matter of making the decision that you will Take Better Care of Yourself. That means making a commitment to take action.</div>
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Remember:</div>
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We're using the word "commitment" here for a reason. The dictionary defines "Commitment" as "an agreement or pledge to do something in the future". A commitment is a PROMISE. We're talking about making a promise to yourself that you will begin taking better care of yourself. And nothing is as gratifying as fulfilling a promise!</div>
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Step 3: Define Your Fitness Goals</div>
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Start with YOUR definition of fitness. What does it mean to you? It could be reaching and maintaining a more healthy body weight. It could be lowering your blood pressure, gaining lean muscle mass, or being able to walk a brisk mile without getting overly winded. Your goal could be being fit enough to carry your grandson up the stairs. For some, it's bench-pressing 400 lbs. or running a marathon. It doesn't matter.</div>
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Define what you want out of a fitness program.</div>
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It might be helpful to talk to people you know who are already actively engaged in exercise, or to have an assessment consultation with a Personal Trainer/Fitness Specialist at a local health club.</div>
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Make sure your goals are realistic, but don't be afraid to challenge yourself. Keep in mind that fitness is REALLY about one thing: feeling better!</div>
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So, when you define your goal, be sure to think about how reaching this goal will make you feel physically, mentally and emotionally. That will make the goal feel more "real", and give you a motivational tool you can use throughout your fitness journey.</div>
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Hard vs. Soft goals:<br />It really pays to establish "hard" goals. That is, goals that are as specific and measurable as possible.<br />"Soft" goals on the other hand are more vague and general.</div>
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For example...</div>
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Soft Goal: <br />I want to get in shape. (how will you measure your success? What does "in shape" mean?)</div>
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Measurable, Specific Goal:<br />By June 30th, I want to lose 10 lbs, and increase my endurance to the point where I can jog two miles without stopping.</div>
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Setting specific fitness goals is also a great motivator, because you can track your success and see progress as you move toward your goal.</div>
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Step 4: Lay Out Your Road Map</div>
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You've decided to make a real commitment to take action, and to start taking better care of yourself. AND you've taken the next important step by defining your fitness goals.</div>
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For many people, those first steps are the most difficult. It's important to understand that without a real commitment (Step 2) and clearly-defined goals (Step 3), there is no way to develop a plan. That would be like building a house without a blue-print!</div>
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But once you've completed these crucial steps, you are ready to develop your road map.</div>
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Your fitness road map must answer the BIG THREE questions:</div>
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What is my goal (where am I going?)</div>
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What is my plan (how do I get there?)</div>
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How to I track progress (how do I tell where am I now?)</div>
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It is absolutely critical that you lay out a road map that addresses these BIG THREE questions. The road map should outline the actual exercise routines to be performed, the scheduling of workouts, and a procedure for measuring progress at prescribed intervals.<br />The best approach is to start with a high-level outline, and then fill in details as you gather information. The outline should include:</div>
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workout frequency (e.g. 4 times per week)</div>
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approximate mix of flexibility, strength and cardio training (based on goals)</div>
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actual exercise programs (*)</div>
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check points (e.g. weigh-ins every 3 weeks)</div>
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The more specific you are in this planning phase, the BETTER your chances for success!</div>
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(*) There are many sources for help in designing your exercise program. Workout programs are available over the internet or in book stores. Our best advice is: GET HELP. Whether it's from a fitness-minded friend or trained professional at a health club, by getting skilled assistance you can easily build a road map that includes enough variation to ward of the potential boredom of a fixed routine.</div>
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Also consider whether you'd like to enlist someone as a workout partner. Some people find it motivating to have a partner; it might even occasionally "guilt" you into working out when you know your partner is counting on you. And two heads are usually better than one!</div>
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Once you have your road map, you can determine what workout venues will make sense. Depending on your goals, there may be several effective paths for you to follow. You might join a walking club, or sign up for dance lessons. You might begin an independent exercise program at home, or join a friend who jogs regularly.</div>
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Remember: You should consult your physician before beginning an exercise regimen.</div>
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Step 5: Feel Good!</div>
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Fitness is, above all, about FEELING GOOD!</div>
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Once you have designed a fitness road map, the best way to succeed is to enjoy the challenge. Our bodies WANT to be fit! And once you start your program, you will feel the exhilaration that comes when you get moving.</div>
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Nothing is more motivating than knowing that you've defined a goal, have an action plan, and are WORKING YOUR PLAN. While you're working your plan, always remember to:</div>
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Enjoy the ride</div>
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Track progress</div>
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Set challenging new goals for yourself.</div>
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That last point is important: you're not "done" when your reach your goals. Fitness is not a destination, it's a lifestyle. So, when you reach a goal, congratulate yourself and raise the bar!</div>
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You'll find that you will look forward to workout days, and even on those rare occasions when you have to "force" yourself to work out, you'll be glad you did. Enjoying the ride is the biggest key to success in fitness.</div>
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Remember:<br />It's also important to mix in some patience with your enthusiasm. You might miss a workout or two, or get side-tracked for a week. This happens to even the most dedicated fitness devotees. If and when you slip, or your progress slows, it's important to remember how much long-term benefit you will get from your fitness program. And even after a "slip up", nothing feels better than getting right back on track.</div>
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Recap</div>
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By following the FIVE STEPS TO FITNESS SUCCESS, you can realize IMMEDIATE improvements in your overall fitness jump-start your journey toward your fitness goals ENJOY getting the most out of your fitness program</div>
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Remember:</div>
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The FIVE STEPS TO FITNESS SUCCESS<br />1) Make Changes TODAY!<br />2) Decide & Commit<br />3) Define Goals<br />4) Design Your Road Map<br />5) Feel Good!</div>
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Pete Bellisano is a certified personal trainer and owner of Peak Performance Fitness in Berkeley Heights NJ. Peak clients are achieving outstanding results losing weight and improving overall fitness, through our unique approach to Fitness For Real People. Visit our site to see what our clients have to say about their success, and to pick up your free fitness info. [http://www.peakperformancenj.com]</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pete_Bellisano" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Bellisano</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1339701</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-34097358514076469742013-11-04T14:40:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:40:57.030-08:00Part 3 - The Road to Fitness Success - Choose Your Fitness Products Wisely!<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizqXDacV-euNPl7yqbjSKKRk_SBrRf7NzBm_xbEpcnJ3dcc_GHZwrJq0oU_5FEMF9KfcPpZfovzx_Zo9vywfYawf8MIEaq8yciLZaAiWA0li0bLuNrRnHENwMghFjvVYxtuZUh7G_qrK5/s1600/the-best-mens-fitness-tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizqXDacV-euNPl7yqbjSKKRk_SBrRf7NzBm_xbEpcnJ3dcc_GHZwrJq0oU_5FEMF9KfcPpZfovzx_Zo9vywfYawf8MIEaq8yciLZaAiWA0li0bLuNrRnHENwMghFjvVYxtuZUh7G_qrK5/s320/the-best-mens-fitness-tips.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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Now that you have created a burning desire to be fit, healthy and attractive, and have begun secretly conspiring to satisfy your desires, the obvious question becomes...</div>
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How?</div>
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There are so many different types of fitness products to choose from... all claiming to be your perfect fitness, health and physique solution.</div>
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* So many recommendations...<br />* So many famous personalities...<br />* So many advertisements...</div>
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But which fitness product will work best for you?</div>
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Here are some characteristics to look for when choosing a fitness product.</div>
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The more of these characteristics the fitness product has... the better the chance you will succeed in achieving your fitness, health and physique goals.</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Effective</div>
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While this characteristic seems like a no-brainer... you would be surprised at just how many people are actively using a fitness product that will never give them the results they seek.</div>
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Many people say they want improve their level of fitness... and get a bodybuilding product.</div>
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Big muscles are not necessarily indicative of a high level of fitness.</div>
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Many people say they want to lose fat... and get an aerobic endurance product.</div>
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Aerobic training is only a part of the fat loss equation, and will not produce the lean, muscular, athletic body most people want... regardless of all the hard work. The point is, make sure the fitness product you choose is designed to get the results you want... or you are doomed to failure before you begin. If you want to increase fitness, improve health and develop an attractive physique... look for fitness products designed to produce these results.</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Interesting</div>
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Let's face it, if you are not interested in the fitness product you choose... you will not use it long enough to see results.</div>
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I don't care if the fitness product was proven to work by thousands of scientific studies... it will have no positive effect on your fitness, health or physique if you don't do it.</div>
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And you won't do it... if it does not hold your attention and peak your interest.</div>
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No matter how many times you say...</div>
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"This time I'm not giving up until I get the results I want."</div>
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... you will eventually give up if the fitness product is not interesting to you.</div>
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Don't force yourself to struggle with a fitness product you hate... look for interesting fitness products that fit into your lifestyle and match your personality.</div>
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You should look forward to physical training... not dread it!</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Modifiable</div>
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There is not one fitness product in existence that can be all things to all people... regardless of what all the slick-tongued advertisements say.</div>
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Fitness products must be modifiable to your goals, needs, abilities and limitations... you must be given a degree of freedom to make the physical fitness program uniquely your own.</div>
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You have different wants and needs.</div>
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You have different strengths and weaknesses needing specific attention.</div>
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You must be able to take an active role in the use of the fitness product... modifying it into your perfect fitness program.</div>
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Cookie-cutter programs claiming long-term results do not work.</div>
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Look for fitness products that can be easily modified to your unique situation.</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Sustainable The more the fitness product is dependent on machines, devices and other complexities... the easier it is to destroy.</div>
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What happens when the machine is not available, the device breaks or the complexity you have based you entire fitness program on is lacking?</div>
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Your physical training comes to a grinding halt!</div>
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I am not saying you should stay away from fitness products that use machines, special equipment, etc... only don't choose a product that makes you dependent upon them.</div>
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You are responsible for your fitness success... not the availability of a piece of equipment, or access to a machine.</div>
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Look for fitness products that help you sustain physical training in your lifestyle no matter what the circumstances.</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Progressive</div>
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There are many fitness products out there presented as a fixed workout.</div>
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"Do this over and over again and you will get the results you want."</div>
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And the workout may be effective in the beginning... for some people and for a limited amount of time.</div>
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Unfortunately, any workout program not part of a progressive over-all plan is doomed to failure.</div>
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This is why you still need fitness products with all the free workouts out there.</div>
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A workout without a progressive plan is little more than manual labor... and will fail to take you where you need to go.</div>
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Any improvements you see in the beginning will quickly disappear, leaving you asking, "What do I do now?"</div>
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Then it is off to look for another workout to try.</div>
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Make sure the fitness product you choose is progressive in nature... and not just "add more weight" either.</div>
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Progression on many different levels is probably the most important aspect of any successful fitness program.</div>
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Your Physical Fitness Program Must Be... Measurable</div>
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The pursuit of fitness, health and physique is a journey... and like any worthwhile journey, it should be documented.</div>
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The ability to measure your progress will keep you on the track of success... enabling you to see where you've been and where you're going.</div>
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Make sure the fitness product you choose comes with a workout journal, or that one can be easily made... Don't underestimate the importance of a workout journal.</div>
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Your workout journal will help you...</div>
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* judge if your physical training efforts are getting you closer to your goals...<br />* decide if you need to modify your fitness program...<br />* and determine if it is time to switch to something completely different...</div>
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... ultimately guiding and documenting your fitness success.</div>
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Look for fitness products making it easy to measure their effectiveness... how else will you really know if it is working for you or not?</div>
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Use Your Common Sense</div>
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If the fitness product...</div>
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* attracts you...<br />* speaks to you...<br />* excites you...<br />* and ultimately makes sense to you...</div>
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... it is probably the right fitness product for you.</div>
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After all, only a physical fitness program you actually do, and that becomes a part of your lifestyle, will give you the long-term fitness, health and physique benefits you seek.</div>
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Now that you have a burning desire to be fit, healthy and attractive, have secretly conspired within yourself to achieve your goals and know what to look for in a fitness product, there is only one thing left to do... act!</div>
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In part 4, I'll show you how knowledge without action us useless.</div>
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Coach Lomax, founder and president of the Optimum Fitness Network LLC, has gained a reputation for creating and recommending fitness resources that get results. To see his ever growing network of fitness sites, go to <a href="http://www.bestathomeworkouts.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Best At Home Workouts</a>. His best selling eBook, <a href="http://www.workout-without-weights.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Workout Without Weights</a> shows you how to perform, feel and look your best without costly equipment or expensive gym memberships.</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Lomax" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Lomax</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/357824</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-45516565675629505472013-11-04T14:39:00.004-08:002013-11-04T14:39:49.720-08:00Fitness For Busy Corporates<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Corporate fitness Training</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuAq24S6F3H3pSCy2S5ymdWNGJW8Ul6G7GovRz4U6DXumpG-cLLnGZoMpPQy2IsPL-hORfLKxHTcW7eov5OPg3iw4y_kctrX8kWwtm6nb1t5C5qo0DwXTph-I4phSMIcub8KTPCMoCO-X/s1600/fitness-nail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuAq24S6F3H3pSCy2S5ymdWNGJW8Ul6G7GovRz4U6DXumpG-cLLnGZoMpPQy2IsPL-hORfLKxHTcW7eov5OPg3iw4y_kctrX8kWwtm6nb1t5C5qo0DwXTph-I4phSMIcub8KTPCMoCO-X/s320/fitness-nail.jpg" width="320" /></a>Companies of all shapes and sizes are striving to make physical fitness part of their employees' lives. Aside from the proven health benefits of exercise, physically fit employees can also handle physical work tasks better, deal with stressful situations more easily and tend to be less susceptible to illness and injuries. Companies are discovering the positive benefits of providing workplace fitness programs. They're realizing that huge funds being spent on employees' medical health problems can be drastically cut by proactively investing in appropriately designed corporate fitness programs. Statistics show that companies with corporate fitness programs enjoy: Reduced Health Care Costs, Increased Productivity, Reduced Absenteeism, decreased recruitment and retraining costs, improved employee concentration, mental alertness and creativity, improved physical and emotional health, leading to better employee morale. The benefit from the employee's standpoint is improved health and energy levels, decreased body fat, and a more youthful, fit body</div>
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Recent studies show that increased exercise is a great way for employees to unwind from the pressure and stresses of everyday work. They are able to quit smoking easily. They drink less & are more patient with their colleagues & clients. As a result, productivity and motivation also increases, making businesses more profitable and less stressful. Companies are now starting to warm to this idea, either setting up corporate fitness memberships to the local gym, or better still setting up, tennis or squash court and gyms within their offices. Great, except for the fact that to get the best benefits sometimes requires a little extra help from trainers. Having a corporate personal trainer on hand for offices could maximize company's investment in that employee.</div>
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The elements of fun, acceptance, belonging, motivation, encouragement and reinforcement are attempted to institute within a corporate wellness program. Employees are treated as individuals, with their own needs and goals. The trainer notes their personal and family health history, physical limitations, expectations and fitness goals. Their fitness level is evaluated. For employees with less physical jobs, it's ideal to measure cardio respiratory endurance, body composition and flexibility. For employees with more physically demanding jobs, measure of muscle strength and endurance is taken. A person with sedentary job might have nagging back problems. Carpel tunnel syndrome, amongst person working on a computer most of the time is not unheard of. Incorrect posture in any job situation also needs to be rectified. Hunching shoulders, stooping back, poor eyesight can all be taken care of by proper counseling. Utilizing the information from the initial consultation and fitness evaluation, an Individual Exercise Prescription (IEP) for each participating employee is created. Exercise sessions include:</div>
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· Warm-up activities</div>
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· Aerobic conditioning</div>
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· Toning</div>
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· Strength training</div>
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· Flexibility exercises</div>
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Cool-down</div>
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Some other formats of fitness regimes followed by these corporate are: yoga, kickboxing, low impact, interval training, body sculpt, Pilates, tai chi, Latin dance, ' Lunch & Learn' seminars, ergonomic assessments and recommendations for the workplace, 'Corporate Wellness Fairs' , weight loss and nutrition program. For a very busy corporate, who is always on the move, an expert can design a thorough workout plan of just thirty minute capsule, which can take care of all his problems and still do justice to his fitness levels. Training sessions teach safe, effective exercise techniques and educate employees on training intensity, frequency and progression to maximize results and reduce injuries.</div>
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The employer receives detailed reports on employee group's participation rates and fitness results. The employees receive reports on their initial fitness level and subsequent improvement as determined by ongoing fitness evaluations.</div>
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The idea of corporate fitness is not just a fashionable fad; rather companies with international standards find it mandatory to prove the health & fitness of their employees. People are soon realizing that a fit body does not mean necessarily a thin body. Healthy mind in a healthy body is soon becoming the order of the day & we should all welcome this positive change in the general mindset of the masses.</div>
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With the increase in work related stress, companies are incorporating gyms in their premises.· Corporate gyms help the employees to be physically fitter & mentally alert.· It helps to increase productivity & reduce medical costs.· It creates bonding amongst the employees who workout together in less formal surroundings.· It is a good idea to hire a qualified corporate fitness trainer & seek positive results minus the injuries.</div>
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1. Speedo aqua aerobics, Taekwonaqua and aqua aerobics for kids. 2. Reebok- Aerobics, Step aerobics, Conditioning, strength, flexibility & Core Pilates. 3. Idea- member of Idea fitness in California for personal training. 4. IFA (International Fitness Association) - Orlando, Florida- Personal Trainer, Kickboxing, Step & Aerobics 5. Resolutions of Reebok 6. Experienced in all kinds of exercise equipment: Thera Band, tubing, stability trainer, flex bar, Swiss ball, medicine ball, Rebounder, free weights, Ramp, Bosu 7. Also do Masala bhangra aerobics and dandiya aerobics. 8. Learnt Chi Kung & Zhan Zhuang and Tai Chi in Singapore 9. Learnt basics of yoga from Sivananda . 10. Shiatsu from Japan 11. CPR certified</div>
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*presently I am doing personal training, corporate training, & conducting group fitness classes in my own studio- FITNESOLUTION in New Delhi.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7658</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-1322993306251188982013-11-04T14:38:00.001-08:002013-11-04T14:38:31.899-08:009 Pioneers of Fitness<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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In composing any list of important people in almost any field, everybody will have his or her own favorites. Also, in weight lifting, body building, physical fitness, aerobics, just to name a few areas, there are so many people who have contributed so much that it is difficult to pare the list down adequately. I have attempted, however, to include people who have repeatedly come to my attention since my first contact with weight training at age 16 in 1961. I have tried to put the emphasis on people who I felt were somewhat pivotal in the areas of weight lifting, body building, aerobics or general physical fitness. I am sure that many readers will have their own favorites.</div>
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Eugen Sandow The Non Pareil (1867 - 1925) Born in Germany, Eugen Sandow has often been called "Father of Modern Bodybuilding". Like Charles Atlas, as a youth, Sandow was a great admirer of Greek and Roman statues depicting athletes and gladiators. Sandow is considered to be a pioneer in bodybuilding because he measured statues to determine exact proportions and then worked to develop his own body parts to match them. In his late teens, while performing in strongman shows, he was spotted and taken on by legendary showman Florenz Ziegfeld. His big splash in America was at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His intelligence, natural charm, and cultured appearance combined with his astounding physique and strength made him a star. Women actually paid him money for the privilege of feeling his muscles. For the men, he wrote widely on health, fitness, and bodybuilding. He, like Bernarr Macfadden and Charles Atlas offered a mail order course teaching his students how to achieve health and fitness. He eventually opened a progressive fitness club in London which stood in stark contrast to the dank, dark, and sweaty gyms of the day. Through his personality and innovation, he made exercise and physical fitness popular for a broader audience than had previously been reached.</div>
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Bernarr Macfadden (1868 - 1955) Born Bernard Adolphus McFadden in the state of Missouri, Bernarr Macfadden changed his first and last names because he felt that the new names had a greater appearance of strength. This was not the only strange activity of the man who advocated regular fasting, and some very esoteric health practices for the day and whose wife called him a kook. He combined his own personal views of fitness training and health practices into an entity he referred to as "Physical Culture" which became the title of his first magazine. He eventually became a bit of a publishing mogul, but was usually considered to be skirting the edges of reality in his obsessive approach to physical fitness. However, he inspired young men like Charles Atlas and brought the idea of health and fitness as a way of life to a broader portion of the public.</div>
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Charles Atlas (1892 - 1972) was born Angelo Siciliano in 1892 in Acri, Calabria, Southern Italy. In 1905, his parents emigrated to America with young Angelo. A few years later, he had changed his first name to "Charles" when he won a photo competition in a magazine run by the creator of "Physical Culture", Bernarr Macfadden. Young Charles was inspired to improve his physique.by Greek statues he saw at the Brookly Art Gallery. His first attempts at fitness was with improvised barbells made of sticks and stones. His observation of animals in the zoo, however, led him to base a series of fitness actions on their apparent means of maintaining their fitness in captivity. He called his discovery Dynamic Tension and went on to market his program to thousands of boys and men. On the path to becoming "Charles Atlas", he posed for statues of Atlas. Some of which were exhibited in the museum where he found his initial inspiration. At the time of his death, he was still exercising daily and running every other day. His course on Dynamic Tension had been the inspiration for over three million men and boys.</div>
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Bob Hoffman (1898 - 1985) Bob Hoffman is considered by many to be "Father of World Weightlifting" and was the founder of York Barbell. He was an athlete, nutritionist, weightlifter, coach and philanthropist. Although an exceptional athlete as a young boy, the mature Bob Hoffman was never a great weightlifter or coach. However, his vision, sense of purpose, and personal belief in the value of weightlifting led him to create York Barbell, a company which was long recognized as the leader in the manufacture of weightlifting equipment and which is still in existence today. while many felt his writings and opinions were "over the top", his personal bravery and willingness to face adversity was shown not only in his later life as he espoused and defended his positions, but also during World War I where he was awarded three Croix de Guerres with two palms and a silver star from France, The Belgian Order of Leopold by Belgium, the Italian War Cross by Italy, and the Purple Heart by America.</div>
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Jack LaLanne (1914 - present) Francois Henri LaLanne, better known to the American public as Jack and considered the "godfather of fitness", had a widely viewed TV show in the 1950's. Interestingly, his show was probably seen and followed by more women than men, and he may have been instrumental in promoting the idea that women could "get fit". Unlike many of the earlier proponents of fitness, Jack LaLanne studied his field very carefully and introduced what he felt his studies told him was the proper way to do things. He is still active in fitness today, marketing a wide line of fitness and nutritional products.</div>
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Joe Weider (1922 - present) Joe Weider is probably one of the most easily recognized figures in the field of bodybuilding today. He has been credited with not only being a driving force in the fields of body building and fitness, but has helped the careers of innumerable bodybuilders, not the least of which was a young Austrian named Arnold Schwarzenegger. He began his own fitness career by building his first barbells out of junked car wheels and axles. At age 17, with a stake of $7, he began his publishing career by rolling out the first issue of "Your Physique" in 1939. In 1968, he changed the name of the magazine to Muscle Builder, and in 1982 changed it again, this time to "Muscle & Fitness". Together with his brother and partner, Ben Weider, Joe Weider founded the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB). His publications now include such diverse offerings as "Shape", "Men's Fitness", "Living Fit", "Prime Health and Fitness", "Fit Pregnancy", "Cooks", "Senior Golfer", and "Flex". Weider now offers a broad range of books on fitness and bodybuilding, nutritional supplements, and bodybuilding and weight lifting equipment and accessories.</div>
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Kenneth Cooper (1931 - present) A doctor (MD) and former Air Force officer, Dr. Ken Cooper is probably most widely known for his book, "Aerobics" which was published in 1968 and which was a driving force in getting me interested in fitness. Dr. Cooper's down-to-earth description of what he called the "Training Effect" as well as a formatted process by which one could achieve health and fitness coupled with vivid descriptions of what the personal effects would be for someone pursuing a fitness program, made his book a success. In fact, some have speculated that Kenneth Cooper's simple little book, "Aerobics", may have been the impetus which put physical fitness into the minds and hearts of millions around the world. Today, Dr. Cooper is the head of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.</div>
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Richard Simmons (1948 - present) Flamboyant is one word commonly used to describe the bouncy, incessantly cheerful aerobics guru, Richard Simmons. It has been estimated that Richard Simmons has helped and encouraged people around the world to lose over 3,000,000 pounds through a combination of healthy eating and energetic exercise. Simmons has produced several programs, such as "Disco Sweat", "Sweatin' to the Oldies", and "Stretchin' to the Classics" that all include his humor and signature high level of excitement. He has created instructional products and programs that range from gentle stretching for the elderly to highly intense aerobic workouts. My wife, who hates exercise, loves Richard Simmons and actually got to where she could follow some very intense routines although she had to begin by sitting on the couch and just making the hand movements.</div>
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Jane Fonda (1937 - present) Many would not recognize the famous star of such films as "Barbarella" and "Coming Home", and daughter of actor Henry Fonda, as a fitness pioneer or guru. For many years she was better known as an actress with a sexy body, a big name, and intense political views. However, beginning in 1982 and continuing into the mid 90's, Ms. Fonda released several fitness videos which became very popular, particularly with women. In fact, today, many people who know of Jane Fonda know her more as a proponent of fitness, health, exercise, yoga, and aerobics than as a famous movie star. While Jane Fonda made no immediate contributions to the science of health and fitness, she, like Richard Simmons, was able to elevate its stature among a large female audience and helped make it fashionable to work out, sweat, be fit, AND feminine. Jane Fonda may have helped move the public awareness of the value and virtues of exercise and fitness to the point where many people now consider a physically fit woman to be a sexy woman just by virtue of her fitness.</div>
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Well, there you have it. Nine people who in some way positively affected, altered, or enhanced the fields of body building, weight lifting, aerobics, or physical fitness in general.</div>
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Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He has been a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, weight lifting, yoga, weight loss, the environment, global warming, happiness, self improvement, and life. He has a blog on health and fitness news and information for seniors, <a href="http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">Fitness After 40</a> which can be viewed at <a href="http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com</a>.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/567541</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-73469962661262251752013-11-04T14:32:00.004-08:002013-11-04T14:32:58.026-08:00Weight Loss Product Warnings -- How to Spot Bad Pills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are numerous ways to make a bad weight loss product look good. <i>How to Spot Bad Pills</i> is the first article in a series on evaluating weight loss products. My hope is to provide you with reliable, easy to understand, and useful tips for spotting bad weight loss products.</div>
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For the purpose of this article, the phrase, <i>weight loss pill</i>, refers to over-the-counter, non-prescription weight loss supplements. The following six tips will help you identify weight loss pills that don't back up claims with evidence, cite poorly designed research studies, don't work, and possibly cause serious harm.</div>
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The tips, arranged in no particular order, are effective in spotting glaring omissions of evidence, misrepresentations, and outright lies. However, many marketers have become quite skilled in the art of statistical illusion, fooling even those of us with extensive experience in statistical analysis.</div>
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What does this mean for you? Use the six tips from <i>How to Spot a Bad Pill</i> as part of your own overall assessment and not as a definitive evaluation. A "good" weight loss pill based upon my six tips, does not necessarily translate to a well studied, safe, and effective product. However, a bad pill here is a bad pill everywhere.</div>
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With that quick disclaimer, let's get started...</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #1 -- References</b></div>
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Match each claim cited with a reference. The reference should be clear and include the author's name, the location of the study, primary sponsor, title of study, publication source, year, volume, and pages.</div>
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A solid claim made for a weight loss pill should not be sales oriented. I fully understand that there is a time to sell. However, I am assuming you are beyond that, and need real information about this weight loss product in question. As you investigate the pill, and the sales copy never seems to go way, that's a red flag.</div>
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Lets look at two different claims. The first one is NOT a solid science claim...<i>"Amazing New Weight Loss Pill Maximizes Weight Loss..."</i>. This belongs back in the sales copy.</div>
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Instead, here is a claim well grounded in science...</div>
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"The percentage of weight loss was significantly higher in the test group at the end of the 5 week study...(6)"</div>
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Notice the reference is clearly cited and displayed by the number 6. This is identifying the 6th listing on the reference page as the source. This brings up a related topic about the reference page. All ads and websites should have a reference page.</div>
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As a matter of fact, the reference page is more valuable than the testimonials. It is a list of the actual studies used to make a case in favor of a weight loss product.</div>
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To see an example of a reference page, use this link, Weight Loss Pill Reference Page [http://www.weight-loss-professional.com/references.html].</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #2 -- Mechanism of Action</b></div>
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Verify how the weight loss pill works, also called the <i>mechanism of action</i>. Every pill, prescription drugs included, should have the mechanism of action clearly stated with references. Do not label a weight loss pill as "good" without a description on how it works.</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #3 -- Author</b></div>
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Verify the primary author referenced to make the best claim or the author referenced for making most of the claims. Verify, in this case, means to check the reference as "real" and also test the "marketer" for how accessible the information is to get and review.</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #4 -- Subjects</b></div>
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Investigate the number of subjects that have been tested using the weight loss pill in question. This is difficult to judge, but understand that the smaller the study, the less reliable the results. One study with 10 subjects is not enough to make any significant claims.</div>
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When isolating one study, the number of subjects needed to produce reliable results depends on several factors. I suggest looking through the information provided to you for references to choosing the right number of subjects. If they take the time to write about it in their official study report, then, most likely, they had the best possible number of subjects.</div>
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In general, if you're reviewing one study measuring one variable, you would like to see at least 50 subjects (n=50). However, we often lower this standard given the difficulty in recruiting for studies.</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #5 -- Side Effects</b></div>
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A well designed, unbiased study does not hide reported side effects (also called adverse events). This should be as easy to find as the headline of the sale copy or the order form. If it's hidden, stay away from that weight loss pill.</div>
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<b>Bad Pill Tip #6 -- Help</b></div>
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If all else fails and you just can't call it a good or bad pill, call your health care provider. Let the person answering the phone know exactly what it is you need. Say something like, "I need feedback on a new weight loss pill, called Pill ABC. Is this a bad pill for me to take or is it a good one?"</div>
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Personalize the reason for needing the information and the response time will triple. Since you made it clear you're considering taking the pill, they will get back to you fast to avoid any adverse event. If they don't, consider finding a new health care provider.</div>
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Obviously, there are several other areas to critique a weight loss pill. But these are 6 excellent tips that will help you decide if the pill is good or bad. It simply comes down to checking for very basic information that any credible scientist or physician would display or provide immediately.</div>
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Not passing just one of the tips is enough to label it as a bad weight loss pill.</div>
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To Healthy Living!</div>
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Michael A. Smith, MD</div>
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Dr. Smith is the primary physician and consultant for the Diet Basics Website of the Weight Loss Professional. Stay tuned for the second article of the series called Weight Loss Product Warning.</div>
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Please visit the Diet Basics website and take advantage of all the free offers...original e-books and articles, a top rated newsletter, and much more.</div>
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You can visit the site at, <a href="http://www.weight-loss-professional.com/articles" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">weight-loss-professional.com</a></div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Smith,_MD" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Smith,_MD</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/34081</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-40786037273706415402013-11-04T14:31:00.001-08:002013-11-04T14:31:34.348-08:00The Ultimate Weight Loss Product Guide<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Are you one of the many who may be tempted by advertisements for diet pills and other weight loss products promising easy, quick ways to lose weight? Were you aware that a simple 30 minute infomercial can cost anywhere from $80,000 to 120,000 dollars to make. Pretty crazy don't you think? Yet time and time again you see countless weight loss infomercials selling product after product.</div>
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Fad Diets and many diet pills are pitched by persistent advertising and many people, possibly even you will join the parade of followers. Yet 95% of the time, these weight loss products will prove to fail you once again -- leaving you with nothing but charges to your credit card and set-up to regain all those pounds. So why are people constantly and willingly paying their hard earned money for these weight loss products?</div>
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"Stop Throwing Your Hopes Into Every Weight Loss Product That Comes By"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yDDbAAagH43mT3-0aKKJlwhx8ddOvCdx6tG6nslMbBVoJohcRfqS15HCiFfU55zipVJExTr-hVQWU4UO3gxzt995H3LzB08rIcaxliOej_qngmFc5UY7u2tCe8PrBctCE9S9ig8YDOP/s1600/Weight-Loss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yDDbAAagH43mT3-0aKKJlwhx8ddOvCdx6tG6nslMbBVoJohcRfqS15HCiFfU55zipVJExTr-hVQWU4UO3gxzt995H3LzB08rIcaxliOej_qngmFc5UY7u2tCe8PrBctCE9S9ig8YDOP/s1600/Weight-Loss.jpg" /></a>We want you to stop being their guinea pigs and understand and realize just how many of these diet pills and other weight loss companies are cashing in at your expense. To help you avoid getting "trapped or suckered" into believing or choosing a weight loss product or service that does nothing but contribute and add to the problems.</div>
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Stop Getting Taken! The following factors are exactly what many weight loss products and services use and exploit in order to get you to buy into their utterly false claims...</div>
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Factor 1 -- HOPE<br />Hope is a good thing, you need hope. But the problem is that many times you have such high hopes that you put those hopes into anything, regardless if its legit or not. By putting your hopes of weight loss into products and services that are not providing the necessary means you need, your ultimately setting yourself up for failure and your hopes will get crushed. Have hope, just make sure you put your hope into the right service and don't let your strong sense of hope blind you into not seeing the red-flags and other lies.</div>
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Bottom Line -- Don't let your strong sense of hope make you believe things that are not true!</div>
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Factor 2 -- Emotion<br />Lets face it, your weight and appearance can be a touchy, emotional subject. And it should be, its your life! But how many times have you seen a weight loss infomercial where someone breaks down into tears while talking about how miserable they were when overweight and how deeply happy and relieved they are now ... and how they owe it all to that particular weight loss product or "revolutionary system." The product is doing this intentionally!</div>
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Weight loss products know you're emotional about how you look ... they also know that when your emotional, it causes you to act on impulse. They have a better chance to "hook- you" when you're emotional and "touched." Products try to stir up your emotion in an effort to get you to act impulsively and buy into their claims. You should be emotional about your health and the way you look, but don't let them use your emotion against you. Don't let your emotion blind you into not seeing the red-flags and real reason that they're really there -- to get the "2 easy payments of $39.99" out of you!</div>
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Factor 3 -- Marketing Savvy & Media<br />Just because you're constantly seeing weight loss ads and commercials for diet pills and the new "xxx diet" does not mean it works and is credible. Just because you see a celebrity hosting the weight loss infomercial or program (who has been generously paid off ... do you really think a movie star is going to do an infomercial for free?) does not mean it's effective. What it does mean is that they have thousands, if not millions of dollars to pay for advertising and marketing so they can get their product in front of you, be it radio, television, internet etc. so they can constantly "pitch you."</div>
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How affective is marketing? Recently, a diet pill company was making the bogus claim "take our weight loss pill and you can eat what you want and burn fat as you sleep" and made $152 million in profit over 3 short years by doing radio commercials at over 600 stations across the country! That is until the Government stepped in and cracked down! And all the restaurants that are adding the "new xxx diet approved" menus, all they're doing is trying to make money too! Restaurants know that people are willingly paying, so why wouldn't they add low carb diet dishes (even though the number of calories in these dishes are alarmingly high and will cause you to pack on pounds!)</div>
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Realize, that just because you see a weight loss product time and time again on the television or radio does not mean it will be effective in losing permanent weight. All these weight loss companies are trying to do is get their product in front of you over and over so it will be there when you're ready to buy. Many people make the mistake of assuming a product is credible simply because it's constantly on television.</div>
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Factor 4 - Repetition<br />Diet pills and other weight loss products figure they more they can get in front of you, the more likely you're going to buy it when that time comes. Lets face it, if you were interested in building a deck, when that time comes don't you think your going to choose the "smith deck company" that you saw time and time again on TV. Most people will simply use the one that's most convenient and right there. Many times people just pick the first product or service that comes to their head and have high hopes that everything will just work out. Unfortunately, many times it's no different with weight loss products.</div>
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This is exactly why you see the same infomercial every day, every hour of the day for like 1 month straight ... and then all of a sudden it's gone. They get in, make their money on desperate people looking to lose weight, and then they get out! And if you see it again in like 3-4 months down the road, this means they made a lot of money on it previously and are back to make more. They wouldn't be there if they weren't making money - period!</div>
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The product is trying to pound it into you head and keep coming at you because they know, the more you see it, the more likely you will be to buy it. Don't get suckered! Just because they are always there, does not mean it will help you.</div>
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Factor 5 - Pressure<br />This is a big one. The bottom line -- when people are pressured they act impulsively. Often times you put way to much pressure on yourself. In today's society so much emphasis is placed on health and appearance. People feel pressured to look a certain way and this is certainly the case with being overweight as people will do anything to lose weight. Weight loss products go out of their way to put additional pressure on you, knowing that it will cause you to act and buy. Many of the weight loss infomercials are very good at the art of getting you to believe that ... "finally this is it, the only product that's going to change your life!" The truth is that all they're doing is adding additional pressure.</div>
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Bottom Line -- Don't let the pressure you feel to lose weight allow you to buy into and believe false claims. A sense of urgency to lose weight is good, but don't feel so pressured that it causes you to act impulsively and spend your hard - earned money on the first thing you come across that sounds good. When you feel pressured, it will allow you to start believing and putting your hopes into things that are not true because you feel like "I need to do something about my weight and I need to do it now!" Weight loss products know this and that is what they are wanting you to do. Don't allow it and don't allow yourself to be one of their guinea pigs! It will just cost you in the end!</div>
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General Rules To Keep In Mind When<br />Dealing With Weight Loss Products</div>
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Be Realistic -- If there was a way to "lose 30 pounds in 30 days and keep it off" or "eat what you want and still lose weight" don't you think that we would all look like supermodels?</div>
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Use Common Sense -- If there were magic diet pills or easy way to lose weight and keep it off, don't you think the top movie stars and celebrities who make millions and millions of dollars would have it.</div>
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Allow Yourself To Believe Both Sides -- If you're going to make the mistake of believing the lies and fabrications many weight loss products are telling you, at least allow yourself to believe that they may indeed be "lying and deceiving you" as well. It's only fair that you allow yourself to look at both sides as this will help you to form a better judgment.</div>
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"If It Was That Easy..." Lets face it, if it was as easy as all these health and weight loss infomercials and ab contraptions make it, the statistic of 95% failing would not exist! There would be no problems. Don't believe their lies and fabrications</div>
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Kenny Leonard is the President Of Excel Media and the creator of The Ultimate Weight Loss And Fitness Bible. The much talked about Weight Loss Bible is authored by Mari Kudla, who is the 4th ranked IFBB Fitness Professional And Figure Model in the world. She has been featured and contributed in numerous world wide media weight loss giants such as Muscle & Fitness Hers, Oxygen, and Flex magazines -- just to name a few. Her new book, "The Ultimate Weight Loss And Fitness Bible," has said to make weight loss ..."amazingly simple to understand and easy" More info at <a href="http://www.ultimate-weight-loss-bible.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.ultimate-weight-loss-bible.com</a></div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Leonard" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Leonard</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/30904</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-92098364222398441642013-11-04T14:29:00.002-08:002013-11-04T14:29:48.600-08:00How Effective Is Weight Loss Surgery?<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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For severely overweight individuals that have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery has become the safest and most effective means of achieving significant weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that with diet and exercise alone, nearly 95% of obese patients will gain all the lost weight back within 5 years. On the other hand, long-term success rates for weight-loss surgery - including the LAP-BAND procedure - are remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50-70% of their excess body weight. Though there are many factors that can impact an individual patient's weight-loss success, weight-loss surgery is simply the most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for severely obese patients.</div>
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Studies show that most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first three years following their procedure. Those that undergo gastric bypass surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than those that choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically experience a greater number of complications and side effects than LAP-BAND patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural long-term weight loss.</div>
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From a clinical perspective, a weight-loss surgery is considered successful when the patient loses at least 50% of their excess body weight and keeps the weight off for at least five years. While important lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that the weight loss is maintained in the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients are able to maintain a 50-60% loss of excess body weight 10 years after the surgical procedure. However, it is important to note that a weight loss of just 10% of total body weight can begin to have positive health effects in resolution of obesity-related condition like asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and diabetes. As weight-loss surgery is usually performed on patients that are at least 75-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 with a health condition, overall weight loss can range anywhere from 40 pounds to over 100 pounds. But the patient is really the leader behind achieving these results.</div>
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While patients will certainly look and feel better after weight-loss surgery, there are also numerous health benefits associated with successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a result of excessive body weight or are worsened by obesity can be improved upon or, in some cases, remedied by weight-loss surgery.</div>
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But there are other ways to measuring success with weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System. For instance, many weight loss surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform certain activities that may not have been possible for a number of years, like crossing their legs, bending over to tie a show, walking up stairs without being easily winded or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.</div>
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While most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery experience incredibly positive results, there are many factors that can impact the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment. Here are some important factors to consider as you try to determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.</div>
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<strong>Pre-surgery Weight</strong></div>
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Generally speaking, the higher a patient's pre-surgery weight or BMI, the more excess weight the patient can lose after surgery. However, recipients of weight-loss surgery with less excess body weight will eventually come closer to their ideal weight when committed to long-term diet and exercise. Also, resolution or improvement in obesity-related diseases can occur with even moderate amounts of weight. Often many diseases can become closer to cured than improved with earlier intervention at a lower weight.</div>
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<strong>Overall Health</strong></div>
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While pre-existing health conditions can impact the overall success of weight-loss surgery (for instance, patients with type 2 Diabetes typically lose less excess body weight after surgery), studies have shown that many ailments linked to obesity are either improved upon or fall into remission after a successful procedure. For instance, a 2000 study performed on 500 weight loss surgery patients showed that nearly 96% of health conditions associated with obesity - such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, back pain and diabetes - improved greatly following loss of excess weight and long-term commitment to diet and exercise.</div>
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<strong>Surgical Procedure</strong></div>
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As there are potential risks and complications associated with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.</div>
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<strong>Diet and Exercise</strong></div>
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As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.</div>
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<strong>Commitment</strong></div>
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The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.</div>
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<strong>Motivation</strong></div>
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Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight. Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay motivated.</div>
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<strong>Support</strong></div>
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As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends and coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support network - including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy eating.</div>
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Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy many health concerns, but also improve an individual's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and keeping the weight off.</div>
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Carole S. Guinane, a Chief Clinical Officer writes articles about obesity and weight loss for <a href="http://www.newhopetoday.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">New Hope Today</a>.</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carole_S._Guinane" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carole_S._Guinane</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1074896</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-71953995373475721692013-11-04T14:28:00.001-08:002013-11-04T14:28:17.514-08:00The Big Picture of Permanent Weight Loss<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Most people who read my articles and e-books know me as a science guy who likes to quote studies and apply research to everyday problems such as weight loss, bodybuilding, and other health/fitness related topics. However, sometimes you have to step back from the science and look at the big picture to help bring people back into focus, so they can see the forest for the trees, so to speak.</div>
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For most people reading this article, finding an effective diet that works most of the time must seem as complicated as nuclear physics. It's not, but there are a bewildering number of choices for diets out there. High fat or no fat? High carbohydrate or no carbohydrate? Low protein or high protein? To make matters worse, there are a million variations and combinations to the above diet scenarios to add to the confusion. It seems endless and causes many people to throw up their hands in frustration and give up. In this article I will attempt to change all that.</div>
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There are some general guidelines, rules of thumb, and ways of viewing a diet program that will allow you to decide, once and for all, if it's the right diet for you. You may not always like what I have to say, and you should be under no illusions this is another quick fix, "lose 100 lbs. in 20 days," guide of some sort. However, if you are sick and tired of being confused, tired of taking the weight off only to put it back on, and tired of wondering how to take the first steps to deciding the right diet for you that will result in permanent weight loss, then this is the article that could change your life...</div>
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Does your diet pass "The Test"?<br />What is the number one reason diets fail long term; above all else? The number one reason is...drum roll...a lack of long term compliance. The numbers don't lie; the vast majority of people who lose weight will regain it - and often exceed what they lost. You knew that already didn't you?</div>
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Yet, what are you doing to avoid it? Here's another reality check: virtually any diet you pick which follows the basic concept of "burning" more calories then you consume - the well accepted "calories in calories out" mantra - will cause you to lose weight. To some degree, they all work: Atkins-style, no carb diets, low fat high carb diets, all manner of fad diets - it simply does not matter in the short term.</div>
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If your goal is to lose some weight quickly, then pick one and follow it. I guarantee you will lose some weight. Studies generally find any of the commercial weight loss diets will get approximately the same amount of weight off after 6 months to a year. For example, a recent study found the Atkins' Diet, Slim-Fast plan, Weight Watchers Pure Points program, and Rosemary Conley's Eat Yourself Slim diet, were all equally effective. (1)</div>
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Other studies comparing other popular diets have come to essentially the same conclusions. For example, a study that compared the Atkins diet, the Ornish diet, Weight Watchers, and The Zone Diet, found them to be essentially the same in their ability to take weight off after one year. (2)</div>
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Recall what I said about the number one reason diets fail, which is a lack of compliance. The lead researcher of this recent study stated:</div>
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"Our trial found that adherence level rather than diet type was the primary predictor of weight loss"(3)</div>
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Translated, it's not which diet they chose per se, but their ability to actually stick to a diet that predicted their weight loss success. I can just see the hands going up now, "but Will, some diets must be better than others, right?" Are some diets better then others? Absolutely. Some diets are healthier then others, some diets are better at preserving lean body mass, some diets are better at suppressing appetite - there are many differences between diets. However, while most of the popular diets will work for taking weight off, what is abundantly clear is that adhering to the diet is the most important aspect for keeping the weight off long term.</div>
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What is a diet?<br />A diet is a short term strategy to lose weight. Long term weight loss is the result of an alteration in lifestyle. We are concerned with life long weight management, not quick fix weight loss here. I don't like the term diet, as it represents a short term attempt to lose weight vs. a change in lifestyle. Want to lose a bunch of weight quickly? Heck, I will give you the information on how to do that here and now for no charge.</div>
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For the next 90 to 120 days eat 12 scrambled egg whites, one whole grapefruit, and a gallon of water twice a a day. You will lose plenty of weight. Will it be healthy? Nope. Will the weight stay off once you are done with this diet and are then forced to go back to your "normal" way of eating? Not a chance. Will the weight you lose come from fat or will it be muscle, water, bone, and (hopefully!) some fat? The point being, there are many diets out there that are perfectly capable of getting weight off you, but when considering any eating plan designed to lose weight, you must ask yourself:</div>
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"Is this a way of eating I can follow long term?"<br />Which brings me to my test: I call it the "Can I eat that way for the rest of my life?" Test. I know, it does not exactly roll off your tongue, but it gets the point across.</div>
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The lesson here is: any nutritional plan you pick to lose weight must be part of a lifestyle change you will be able to follow - in one form or another - forever. That is, if it's not a way of eating you can comply with indefinitely, even after you get to your target weight, then it's worthless.</div>
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Thus, many fad diets you see out there are immediately eliminated, and you don't have to worry about them. The question is not whether the diet is effective in the short term, but if the diet can be followed indefinitely as a lifelong way of eating. Going from "their" way of eating back to "your" way of eating after you reach your target weight is a recipe for disaster and the cause of the well established yo-yo dieting syndrome. Bottom line: there are no short cuts, there is no free lunch, and only a commitment to a lifestyle change is going to keep the fat off long term. I realize that's not what most people want to hear, but it's the truth, like it or not.</div>
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The statistics don't lie: getting the weight off is not the hardest part, keeping the weight off is! If you take a close look at the many well known fad/commercial diets out there, and you are honest with yourself, and apply my test above, you will find most of them no longer appeal to you as they once did. It also brings me to an example that adds additional clarity: If you have diet A that will cause the most weight loss in the shortest amount of time but is unbalanced and essentially impossible to follow long term vs. diet B, which will take the weight off at a slower pace, but is easier to follow, balanced, healthy, and something you can comply with year after year, which is superior? If diet A gets 30 lbs off you in 30 days, but by next year you have gained back all 30 lbs, but diet B gets 20 lbs off you in the next 3 months with another 20 lbs 3 months after that and the weight stays off by the end of that year, which is the better diet?</div>
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If you don't know the answer to those questions, you have totally missed the point of this article and the lesson it's trying to teach you, and are set up for failure. Go back and read this section again...By default, diet B is superior.</div>
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Teach a man to Fish...<br />A well known Chinese Proverb is - Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.</div>
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This expression fits perfectly with the next essential step in how to decide what eating plan you should follow to lose weight permanently. Will the diet plan you are considering teach you how to eat long term, or does it spoon-feed you information? Will the diet rely on special bars, shakes, supplements or pre-made foods they supply?</div>
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Let's do another diet A vs. diet B comparison. Diet A is going to supply you with their foods, as well as their special drink or bars to eat, and tell you exactly when to eat them. You will lose - say - 30 lbs in two months. Diet B is going to attempt to help you learn which foods you should eat, how many calories you need to eat, why you need to eat them, and generally attempt to help teach you how to eat as part of a total lifestyle change that will allow you to make informed decisions about your nutrition. Diet B causes a slow steady weight loss of 8 -10 lbs per month for the next 6 months and the weight stays off because you now know how to eat properly.</div>
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Recall the Chinese proverb. Both diets will assist you to lose weight. Only one diet, however, will teach you how to be self-reliant after your experience is over. Diet A is easier, to be sure, and causes faster weight loss than diet B, and diet B takes longer and requires some thinking and learning on your part. However, when diet A is over, you are right back where you started and have been given no skills to fish. Diet companies don't make their profits by teaching you to fish, they make their money by handing you a fish so you must rely on them indefinitely or come back to them after you gain all the weight back.</div>
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Thus, diet B is superior for allowing you to succeed where other diets failed, with knowledge gained that you can apply long term. Diet programs that attempt to spoon feed you a diet without any attempt to teach you how to eat without their help and/or rely on their shakes, bars, cookies, or pre-made foods, is another diet you can eliminate from your list of choices.</div>
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Diet plans that offer weight loss by drinking their product for several meals followed by a "sensible dinner;" diets that allow you to eat their special cookies for most meals along with their pre-planned menu; or diets that attempt to have you eating their bars, drink, or pre-made meals, are of the diet A variety covered above. They're easy to follow but destined for failure, long term. They all fail the "Can I eat that way for the rest of my life?" test, unless you really think you can eat cookies and shakes for the rest of your life...Bottom line here is, if the nutritional approach you use to lose weight, be it from a book, a class, a clinic, or an e-book, does not teach you how to eat, it's a loser for long term weight loss and it should be avoided.</div>
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The missing link for long term weight loss<br />We now make our way to another test to help you choose a nutrition program for long term weight loss, and it does not actually involve nutrition. The missing link for long term weight loss is exercise. Exercise is the essential component of long term weight loss. Many diet programs do not contain an exercise component, which means they are losers for long term weight loss from the very start. Any program that has its focus on weight loss but does not include a comprehensive exercise plan is like buying a car without tires, or a plane without wings. People who have successfully kept the weight off overwhelmingly have incorporated exercise into their lives, and the studies that look at people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off invariably find these people were consistent with their diet and exercise plans. (4)</div>
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I am not going to list all the benefits of regular exercise here, but regular exercise has positive effects on your metabolism, allows you to eat more calories yet still be in a calorie deficit, and can help preserve lean body mass (LBM) which is essential to your health and metabolism. The many health benefits of regular exercise are well known, so I won't bother adding them here. The bottom line here is, (a) if you have any intentions of getting the most from your goal of losing weight and (b) plan to keep it off long term, regular exercise must be an integral part of the weight loss strategy. So, you can eliminate any program, be it book, e-book, clinic, etc. that does not offer you direction and help with this essential part of long term weight loss.</div>
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Side Bar: A quick note on exercise:<br />Any exercise is better than no exercise. However, like diet plans, not all exercise is created equal, and many people often choose the wrong form of exercise to maximize their efforts to lose weight. For example, they will do aerobics exclusively and ignore resistance training. Resistance training is an essential component of fat loss, as it builds muscle essential to your metabolism, increases 24 hour energy expenditure, and has health benefits beyond aerobics.</div>
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The reader will also note I said fat loss above not weight loss. Though I use the term 'weight loss' throughout this article, I do so only because it is a familiar term most people understand. However, the true focus and goal of a properly set up nutrition and exercise plan should be on fat loss, not weight loss. A focus on losing weight, which may include a loss essential muscle, water, and even bone, as well as fat, is the wrong approach. Losing the fat and keeping the all important lean body mass (LBM), is the goal, and the method for achieving that can be found in my ebook(s) on the topic, and is beyond the scope of this article. Bottom line: the type of exercise, intensity of that exercise, length of time doing that exercise, etc., are essential variables here when attempting to lose FAT while retaining (LBM).</div>
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Psychology 101 of long term weight loss<br />Many diet programs out there don't address the psychological aspect of why people fail to be successful with long term weight loss. However, quite a few studies exist that have looked at just that. In many respects, the psychological aspect is the most important for long term weight loss, and probably the most underappreciated component.</div>
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Studies that compare the psychological characteristics of people who have successfully kept the weight off to people who have regained the weight, see clear differences between these two groups. For example, one study that looked at 28 obese women who had lost weight but regained the weight that they had lost, compared to 28 formerly obese women who had lost weight and maintained their weight for at least one year and 20 women with a stable weight in the healthy range, found the women who regained the weight:</div>
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o Had a tendency to evaluate self-worth in terms of weight and shape<br />o Had a lack of vigilance with regard to weight control<br />o had a dichotomous (black-and-white) thinking style<br />o Had the tendency to use eating to regulate mood.</div>
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The researchers concluded:</div>
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"The results suggest that psychological factors may provide some explanation as to why many people with obesity regain weight following successful weight loss."</div>
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This particular study was done on women, so it reflects some of the specific psychological issues women have - but make no mistake here - men also have their own psychological issues that can sabotage their long term weight loss efforts. (6)</div>
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Additional studies on men and women find psychological characteristics such as "having unrealistic weight goals, poor coping or problem-solving skills and low self-efficacy" often predict failure with long term weight loss. (7) On the other hand, psychological traits common to people who experienced successful long term weight loss include "...an internal motivation to lose weight, social support, better coping strategies and ability to handle life stress, self-efficacy, autonomy, assuming responsibility in life, and overall more psychological strength and stability." (8)</div>
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The main point of this section is to illustrate that psychology plays a major role in determining if people are successful with long term weight loss. If it's not addressed as part of the overall plan, it can be the factor that makes or breaks your success. This, however, is not an area most nutrition programs can adequately tackle and should not be expected to. However, the better programs do generally attempt to help with motivation, goal setting, and support. If you see yourself in the above lists from the groups that failed to maintain their weight long term, then know you will need to address those issues via counseling, support groups, etc. Don't expect any weight loss program to cover this topic adequately but do look for programs that attempt to offer support, goal setting, and resources that will keep you on track.</div>
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"There's a sucker born every minute"<br />So why don't you see this type of honest information about the realities of long term weight loss more often? Let's be honest here, telling the truth is not the best way to sell bars, shakes, books, supplements, and programs. Hell, if by some miracle everyone who read this article actually followed it, and sent it on to millions of other people who actually followed it, makers of said products could be in financial trouble quickly. However, they also know - as the man said - "there's a sucker born every minute," so I doubt they will be kept up at night worrying about the effects that I, or this article, will have on their business.</div>
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So let's recap what has been learned here: the big picture realities of permanent weight loss and how you can look at a weight loss program and decide for yourself if it's for you based on what has been covered above:</div>
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o Permanent weight loss is not about finding a quick fix diet, but making a commitment to life style changes that include nutrition and exercise</div>
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o Any weight loss program you choose must pass the "Can I eat that way for the rest of my life?" test,</div>
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o The weight loss program you choose should ultimately teach you how to eat and be self reliant so you can make informed long term choices about your nutrition.</div>
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o The weight loss program you choose should not leave you reliant on commercial bars, shakes, supplements, or pre-made foods, for your long term success.</div>
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o The weight loss program you choose must have an effective exercise component.</div>
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o The weight loss program you choose should attempt to help with motivation, goal setting, and support, but can't be a replacement for psychological counseling if needed.</div>
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Conclusion<br />I want to take this final section to add some additional points and clarity. For starters, the above advice is not for everyone. It's not intended for those who really have their nutrition dialed in, such as competitive bodybuilders and other athletes who benefit from fairly dramatic changes in their nutrition, such as 'off season' and 'pre-contest' and so on.</div>
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The article is also not intended for those with medical issues who may be on a specific diet to treat or manage a specific medical condition. The article is intended for the average person who wants to get off the Yo-Yo diet merry-go-round once and for all. As that's probably 99% of the population, it will cover millions of people.</div>
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People should also not be scared off by my "you have to eat this way forever" advice. This does not mean you will be dieting for the rest of your life and have nothing but starvation to look forward to. What it does mean, however, is you will have to learn to eat properly even after you reach your target weight and that way of eating should not be a huge departure from how you ate to lose the weight in the first place. Once you get to your target weight - and or your target bodyfat levels - you will go onto a maintenance phase which generally has more calories and choices of food, even the occasional treat, like a slice of pizza or whatever.</div>
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Maintenance diets are a logical extension of the diet you used to lose the weight, but they are not based on the diet you followed that put the weight on in the first place!</div>
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Regardless of which program you choose, use the above 'big picture' approach which will keep you on track for long term weight loss. See you in the gym!</div>
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References</div>
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(1) Truby H, et al. Randomised controlled trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in the UK: initial findings from the BBC "diet trials" BMJ 2006;332:1309-1314 (3 June),</div>
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(2) Michael D., et al, Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction. A Randomized Trial. JAMA. 2005;293:43-53.</div>
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(3) Comparison of Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction-Reply. Michael Dansinger. JAMA. 2005;293:1590-1591.</div>
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(4) Kruger J. et al. Dietary and physical activity behaviors among adults successful at weight loss maintenance. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2006, 3:17 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-3-17</div>
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(5) Byrne S, et al. Weight maintenance and relapse in obesity: a qualitative study. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Aug;27(8):955-62.</div>
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(6) Borg P, et al. Food selection and eating behaviour during weight maintenance intervention and 2-y follow-up in obese men.Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Dec;28(12):1548-54.</div>
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(7) Byrne SM. Psychological aspects of weight maintenance and relapse in obesity. J Psychosom Res. 2002 Nov;53(5):1029-36.</div>
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(8) Elfhag K, et al. Who succeeds in maintaining weight loss? A conceptual review of factors associated with weight loss maintenance and weight regain. Obes Rev. 2005 Feb;6(1):67-85</div>
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<b>Author Bio</b></div>
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Will Brink is an author, columnist and expert in the supplement, fitness, bodybuilding, and weight loss industry and has been extensively published. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences.</div>
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His often ground breaking articles can be found in publications such as Lets Live, Muscle Media , MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Exercise For Men Only, and numerous others.</div>
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He has been co author of several studies relating to sports nutrition and health found in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as having commentary published in JAMA. Will formerly trained high level Olympic athletes, bodybuilders and fitness and now runs seminars for (SWAT).</div>
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He is the author of Bodybuilding Revealed which teaches you how to gain solid muscle mass drug free and Fat Loss Revealed which reveals exactly how to get lean, ripped and healthy completely naturally.</div>
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Find out more at <a href="http://www.bodybuildingrevealed.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.bodybuildingrevealed.com</a> & his personal website at <a href="http://www.brinkzone.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.brinkzone.com</a></div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Will_Brink" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Brink</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1375468</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-67955235221608721022013-11-04T14:27:00.000-08:002013-11-04T14:27:07.627-08:00Top 15 Weight Loss Myths<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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There are many common weight loss myths that people live by when it comes to their health. It is difficult at times to separate the weight loss myths and fact from what is true. Many sound true while others are just laughable. I once read somewhere that if you drink water at night that you are going to gain weight or that if you scratch your head too often you are going to lose your hair....</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 1<br />The more weight that I have to lose the more intense my exercise routine should be</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0F8BIstpgp8SQohCEik-cv0iU4sEB27duMaR6ydp4_1BTNRq0eQ2SFNq1nj1dI8SeYUiJGhj0xH26EpJjbYH4A49dx0BU1EiVwlPOTo1paE0vUSowtg7p9Xue_r-8h6cBWX1L-3XfumC/s1600/weight-loss1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0F8BIstpgp8SQohCEik-cv0iU4sEB27duMaR6ydp4_1BTNRq0eQ2SFNq1nj1dI8SeYUiJGhj0xH26EpJjbYH4A49dx0BU1EiVwlPOTo1paE0vUSowtg7p9Xue_r-8h6cBWX1L-3XfumC/s320/weight-loss1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Weight Loss Truth: Although having an intense workout routine is great, there are a few things you should consider: the first being that everyone is at a different level when it comes to their fitness and how much intensity they can actually handle. If you have been physically inactive for a number of years, an intense work out for you might be, walking half a mile a day. After you walk that half mile you notice that you are sweating bullets and that you are tired. However, for someone who has been physically active for many years, walking half a mile can be done without a sweat. Everyone has a different definition of what "intense" is.</div>
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If intense for you is working out for an hour a day, but due to life's busy schedule you only have time for 20 minutes a day, then those 20 minutes will go an extremely long way. It might not necessarily be classified as "intense", according to your definition, but those little cardio moments will have positive health altering effects.</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 2<br />Stress and weight gain do not go hand in hand</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: This is one of those "laughable" myths. To learn more how stress is adding lbs. to your life please download my free E-Book, "Psychology of Releasing Weight"</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 3<br />I can lose weight while eating whatever I want</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: Sir Isaac Newton once said " What goes up must come down." There are natural principles that govern our lives. If you throw a ball up in the air, it is going to come back down. You can sit on your couch and imagine and visualize that the ball will staying afloat in the air, but natural principles teach us that it will come down. Same goes when it comes to our weight.</div>
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This is one of the most common weight loss myths out there. It is illogical to think that your health and weight are going to be in balance if your nutrition consists mainly of twinkies, chips, and donuts. Sure you can burn it off by exercising, but most people whose diet consists of mainly junk food are probably not disciplined enough to stick to a workout routine. I do know a few people who, from the outside, look like they are in good shape, because they are not "fat, but who have high cholesterol.</div>
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Just because I feel sorry for crushing the hearts of so many twinkie lovers out there, I would say this. You can eat junk food, cookies, chips, ice cream, pizza, burgers.... All of those "soul satisfying foods", but it should be in moderation. Anything in excess is never good.</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 4<br />Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: There are numerous studies that show that people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day tend to be a lot heavier than who have a healthy nutritional breakfast and then eat 4-6 small meals during the day. The reason to this might be the fact that they get hungrier later on in the day, and might have a tendency to over eat during other meals of the day.</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 5<br />I will not lose weight while eating at night</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: You can over indulge in food during the day and not eat a single thing at night and you WILL gain weight. As is the fact that you can starve yourself during the day and eat all night long and you still will gain weight. The key here is balance. If your body is telling you that it is hungry then perhaps you should listen to it. The truth is, that over eating, while not exercising, will cause you to gain weight; no matter what time of the day that you eat. Whenever I am hungry at night, as is my habit with other meals during the day, I try to select something that is natural in nature. Something like fruits, vegetables, or I might even make myself a fruit smoothie. During those moments that I am craving ice cream or something sweet, I allow myself to get some, and DO NOT feel guilty about it. Many people who are overweight live their life in guilt and shame. I allow myself to get some, however, WITH MODERATION.</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 6<br />I'm not acceptable until I lose weight</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: The person who doesn't feel acceptable because they are fat is because they are not acceptable to themselves first. The way that you think others view you is based on your view of yourself. I honestly believe that one must become emotionally fit before becoming physically fit. I have gone through these self-limiting emotions before. Once I realized that I was ALREADY ENOUGH in the eyes of God and that I had no need to prove myself to anyone or to receive external validation for my self-worth, that made all the difference for me. Once you accept yourself as who you are RIGHT NOW and realize that you are already enough in the eyes of God, you will not feel like you are not acceptable because of your weight.</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 7<br />I need to cut calories to lose weight faster</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: Cutting your calories down might be a great thing, if you are drastically overeating and stuffing your face. However, if you are eating proportionally then cutting calories might have an aversive affect. If you are cutting calories and are starving your body, then that will lower your metabolism, or in other words slow it down, which may result in you actually not losing any weight at all, even if you are "cutting calories"</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 8<br />Skipping meals will help me lose weight</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: Skipping meals may actually cause you to gain weight! You will become too hungry and will eventually have to eat. This will knock your metabolism off track and will eventually slow it down. Think of a car running low on gas (food), if you do not fill it up, it will eventually stop working. Same goes for our body, we need to keep it fueled constantly.</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 9<br />I think I have genetic weight gain, it runs in my family!</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: Can someone say E-X-C-U-S-E-S? I will not deny that there might be tendencies for heavy parents to raise heavy children who will remain heavy their whole lives, but I don't believe that there is actually a "fat" gene or DNA out there. What we do inherit from our family, primarily those who directly raised us, are our views and beliefs. Your views about food, money, religion, politics, education, etc. are based upon how you were raised. If you were raised in a home where the primary meals cooked where fried foods, then you might have a tendency to continue cooking and eating fried foods throughout your life. If that is the case then you might be a little heavy around the waist. The easy thing to do is to blame it on those who were in charge of your upbringing, however, you ALWAYS have a choice to change.</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 10<br />Eating healthy is too hard</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: Eating healthy is the simplest thing in the world.....once you have trained yourself to do it. How many times have you placed a goal to lose weight or to "eat better"? The first few days you are doing great, eating all kinds of foods which you normally wouldn't eat. Then something funny started to happen, you went back to your old habits and behaviors. This has happened to you in other areas outside of your health. It could be with making money, looking for a new job, or in your relationships. Creating a new habit takes time because our brain's do not like change. Change to the brain is dangerous. Anyways, if you would like to learn more about how our brain attempts to sabotage us from creating new habits then please download my free E-book, "Psychology of Releasing Weight"</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 11<br />You have to give up your favorite foods to lose weight</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: What would a world without chocolate and without pepperoni pizza be like??? I think it would be a torturous world to live in!! lol, now on a real note I completely disagree with this myth. You are definitely able to eat your favorite foods. Depriving yourself of this kind of pleasure is not fun, and quite frankly you probably WILL eat it anyways. As has been mentioned before, the real key is moderation. If you are a steak lover, then perhaps it might not be the best things to eat it every single day, but perhaps once or twice a week. Those who know me personally know that I LOOOOOOOOVE chicken wings with pizza. In a perfect world where I wouldn't gain any weight and my arteries were clog-less, I would love to eat it several times per week, well more like every day. However, I know that those aren't the healthiest of food choices so I have it about 2-3 times per month. I am not giving up my favorite foods, I am just eating it in moderation so that it doesn't catch up to me in the form of excess weight.</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 12<br />Overeating is caused by hunger</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: Nice try there. If only we could blame "hunger" for it. In fact, this person we call hunger has nothing to do with you OVEREATING. It might have something to do your body telling you that it is time to "fuel up" and that it needs food, but that is not an indication that one should overeat. What causes many people to overeat are different reasons. One of the main ones is feeling of stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, fear, and other down grading emotions of that nature. Many times food can be a means of satisfying your needs. You might be actually getting your needs met through your foods. For example, if you live a lonely life, and aren't very happy, then food could perhaps be a means of you feeling happy and comforted. There are other articles that I have written on this subject but suffice it to say that overeating is NOT cause by being hungry.</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 13<br />Only drastic diets work</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: There goes that word again...DIEt....those "drastic diets" are only good for quick weight loss and rapid weight gain once you get of it. These drastic diets range from the "cookie diet", lol.... All that way to "the water only diet"..... I am sure you can lose weight while on these DIEts, however the weight will be gained right back and usually with some added weight as a bonus</div>
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Fat Loss Myth # 14<br />I am too fat and too far down the road to begin</div>
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Weight Loss Fact: A long journey begins one step at a time. It is natural to expect instantaneous results and to even fear the road ahead of you; especially if you are extremely overweight. The secret here is to make SMALL incremental changes. Don't expect perfection because that will lead you to disappointment. You are never too far down the road to where you cannot see the sun's light......</div>
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Weight Loss Myth # 15<br />I can't do it, I have tried many times and have failed</div>
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Weight Loss Truth: The great Henry Ford once said "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't- you're right.'"......It is 90% mindset, and 10% actually getting off your butt and doing something about it. You fall down, you get back up.... you fall down again, you get back up again. If you have tried to lose weight in the past then it is time to keep trying. Discouragment is to losing weight as is a piece of fried chicken to a vegetarian......they DO NOT go hand in hand.</div>
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[Http://PsychologyOfReleasingWeight.com]</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hyrum_R" style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hyrum_R</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5567423</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-30158881904019492182013-11-04T14:19:00.002-08:002013-11-04T14:19:30.126-08:00Health Savings Accounts - An American Innovation in Health Insurance<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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INTRODUCTON - The term "health insurance" is commonly used in the United States to describe any program that helps pay for medical expenses, whether through privately purchased insurance, social insurance or a non-insurance social welfare program funded by the government. Synonyms for this usage include "health coverage," "health care coverage" and "health benefits" and "medical insurance." In a more technical sense, the term is used to describe any form of insurance that provides protection against injury or illness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PbKHN4s6dFRLFJRzpaIOjtDKdtogicRce6yOEX0zVTAShTirxBA-dC7ICDtx9yWo0FdeVpwxIQKPMYb1dd_GQtold80kELhTqCijtCX92DmKYgxHaYT8NtZeCTTM7RBBtkRxNlx60fsa/s1600/Health-tips-for-a-better-tomorrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PbKHN4s6dFRLFJRzpaIOjtDKdtogicRce6yOEX0zVTAShTirxBA-dC7ICDtx9yWo0FdeVpwxIQKPMYb1dd_GQtold80kELhTqCijtCX92DmKYgxHaYT8NtZeCTTM7RBBtkRxNlx60fsa/s320/Health-tips-for-a-better-tomorrow.jpg" width="320" /></a>In America, the health insurance industry has changed rapidly during the last few decades. In the 1970's most people who had health insurance had indemnity insurance. Indemnity insurance is often called fee-forservice. It is the traditional health insurance in which the medical provider (usually a doctor or hospital) is paid a fee for each service provided to the patient covered under the policy. An important category associated with the indemnity plans is that of consumer driven health care (CDHC). Consumer-directed health plans allow individuals and families to have greater control over their health care, including when and how they access care, what types of care they receive and how much they spend on health care services.</div>
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These plans are however associated with higher deductibles that the insured have to pay from their pocket before they can claim insurance money. Consumer driven health care plans include Health Reimbursement Plans (HRAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), high deductible health plans (HDHps), Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Of these, the Health Savings Accounts are the most recent and they have witnessed rapid growth during the last decade.</div>
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WHAT IS A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT?</div>
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A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United States. The funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit. These may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability.</div>
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Another feature is that the funds contributed to Health Savings Account roll over and accumulate year over year if not spent. These can be withdrawn by the employees at the time of retirement without any tax liabilities. Withdrawals for qualified expenses and interest earned are also not subject to federal income taxes. According to the U.S. Treasury Office, 'A Health Savings Account is an alternative to traditional health insurance; it is a savings product that offers a different way for consumers to pay for their health care.</div>
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HSA's enable you to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.' Thus the Health Savings Account is an effort to increase the efficiency of the American health care system and to encourage people to be more responsible and prudent towards their health care needs. It falls in the category of consumer driven health care plans.</div>
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Origin of Health Savings Account</div>
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The Health Savings Account was established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act passed by the U.S. Congress in June 2003, by the Senate in July 2003 and signed by President Bush on December 8, 2003.</div>
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Eligibility -</div>
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The following individuals are eligible to open a Health Savings Account -</div>
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- Those who are covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).<br />- Those not covered by other health insurance plans.<br />- Those not enrolled in Medicare4.</div>
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Also there are no income limits on who may contribute to an HAS and there is no requirement of having earned income to contribute to an HAS. However HAS's can't be set up by those who are dependent on someone else's tax return. Also HSA's cannot be set up independently by children.</div>
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What is a High Deductible Health plan (HDHP)?</div>
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Enrollment in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is a necessary qualification for anyone wishing to open a Health Savings Account. In fact the HDHPs got a boost by the Medicare Modernization Act which introduced the HSAs. A High Deductible Health Plan is a health insurance plan which has a certain deductible threshold. This limit must be crossed before the insured person can claim insurance money. It does not cover first dollar medical expenses. So an individual has to himself pay the initial expenses that are called out-of-pocket costs.</div>
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In a number of HDHPs costs of immunization and preventive health care are excluded from the deductible which means that the individual is reimbursed for them. HDHPs can be taken both by individuals (self employed as well as employed) and employers. In 2008, HDHPs are being offered by insurance companies in America with deductibles ranging from a minimum of $1,100 for Self and $2,200 for Self and Family coverage. The maximum amount out-of-pocket limits for HDHPs is $5,600 for self and $11,200 for Self and Family enrollment. These deductible limits are called IRS limits as they are set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In HDHPs the relation between the deductibles and the premium paid by the insured is inversely propotional i.e. higher the deductible, lower the premium and vice versa. The major purported advantages of HDHPs are that they will a) lower health care costs by causing patients to be more cost-conscious, and b) make insurance premiums more affordable for the uninsured. The logic is that when the patients are fully covered (i.e. have health plans with low deductibles), they tend to be less health conscious and also less cost conscious when going for treatment.</div>
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Opening a Health Savings Account</div>
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An individual can sign up for HSAs with banks, credit unions, insurance companies and other approved companies. However not all insurance companies offer HSAqualified health insurance plans so it is important to use an insurance company that offers this type of qualified insurance plan. The employer may also set up a plan for the employees. However, the account is always owned by the individual. Direct online enrollment in HSA-qualified health insurance is available in all states except Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.</div>
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Contributions to the Health Savings Account</div>
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Contributions to HSAs can be made by an individual who owns the account, by an employer or by any other person. When made by the employer, the contribution is not included in the income of the employee. When made by an employee, it is treated as exempted from federal tax. For 2008, the maximum amount that can be contributed (and deducted) to an HSA from all sources is:<br />$2,900 (self-only coverage)<br />$5,800 (family coverage)</div>
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These limits are set by the U.S. Congress through statutes and they are indexed annually for inflation. For individuals above 55 years of age, there is a special catch up provision that allows them to deposit additional $800 for 2008 and $900 for 2009. The actual maximum amount an individual can contribute also depends on the number of months he is covered by an HDHP (pro-rated basis) as of the first day of a month. For eg If you have family HDHP coverage from January 1,2008 until June 30, 2008, then cease having HDHP coverage, you are allowed an HSA contribution of 6/12 of $5,800, or $2,900 for 2008. If you have family HDHP coverage from January 1,2008 until June 30, 2008, and have self-only HDHP coverage from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, you are allowed an HSA contribution of 6/12 x $5,800 plus 6/12 of $2,900, or $4,350 for 2008. If an individual opens an HDHP on the first day of a month, then he can contribute to HSA on the first day itself. However, if he/she opens an account on any other day than the first, then he can contribute to the HSA from the next month onwards. Contributions can be made as late as April 15 of the following year. Contributions to the HSA in excess of the contribution limits must be withdrawn by the individual or be subject to an excise tax. The individual must pay income tax on the excess withdrawn amount.</div>
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Contributions by the Employer</div>
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The employer can make contributions to the employee's HAS account under a salary reduction plan known as Section 125 plan. It is also called a cafeteria plan. The contributions made under the cafeteria plan are made on a pre-tax basis i.e. they are excluded from the employee's income. The employer must make the contribution on a comparable basis. Comparable contributions are contributions to all HSAs of an employer which are 1) the same amount or 2) the same percentage of the annual deductible. However, part time employees who work for less than 30 hours a week can be treated separately. The employer can also categorize employees into those who opt for self coverage only and those who opt for a family coverage. The employer can automatically make contributions to the HSAs on the behalf of the employee unless the employee specifically chooses not to have such contributions by the employer.</div>
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Withdrawals from the HSAs</div>
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The HSA is owned by the employee and he/she can make qualified expenses from it whenever required. He/She also decides how much to contribute to it, how much to withdraw for qualified expenses, which company will hold the account and what type of investments will be made to grow the account. Another feature is that the funds remain in the account and role over from year to year. There are no use it or lose it rules. The HSA participants do not have to obtain advance approval from their HSA trustee or their medical insurer to withdraw funds, and the funds are not subject to income taxation if made for 'qualified medical expenses'. Qualified medical expenses include costs for services and items covered by the health plan but subject to cost sharing such as a deductible and coinsurance, or co-payments, as well as many other expenses not covered under medical plans, such as dental, vision and chiropractic care; durable medical equipment such as eyeglasses and hearing aids; and transportation expenses related to medical care. Nonprescription, over-the-counter medications are also eligible. However, qualified medical expense must be incurred on or after the HSA was established.</div>
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Tax free distributions can be taken from the HSA for the qualified medical expenses of the person covered by the HDHP, the spouse (even if not covered) of the individual and any dependent (even if not covered) of the individual.12 The HSA account can also be used to pay previous year's qualified expenses subject to the condition that those expenses were incurred after the HSA was set up. The individual must preserve the receipts for expenses met from the HSA as they may be needed to prove that the withdrawals from the HSA were made for qualified medical expenses and not otherwise used. Also the individual may have to produce the receipts before the insurance company to prove that the deductible limit was met. If a withdrawal is made for unqualified medical expenses, then the amount withdrawn is considered taxable (it is added to the individuals income) and is also subject to an additional 10 percent penalty. Normally the money also cannot be used for paying medical insurance premiums. However, in certain circumstances, exceptions are allowed.</div>
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These are -</div>
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1) to pay for any health plan coverage while receiving federal or state unemployment benefits.<br />2) COBRA continuation coverage after leaving employment with a company that offers health insurance coverage.<br />3) Qualified long-term care insurance.<br />4) Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, including deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance for: Part A (hospital and inpatient services), Part B (physician and outpatient services), Part C (Medicare HMO and PPO plans) and Part D (prescription drugs).</div>
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However, if an individual dies, becomes disabled or reaches the age of 65, then withdrawals from the Health Savings Account are considered exempted from income tax and additional 10 percent penalty irrespective of the purpose for which those withdrawals are made. There are different methods through which funds can be withdrawn from the HSAs. Some HSAs provide account holders with debit cards, some with cheques and some have options for a reimbursement process similar to medical insurance.</div>
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Growth of HSAs</div>
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Ever since the Health Savings Accounts came into being in January 2004, there has been a phenomenal growth in their numbers. From around 1 million enrollees in March 2005, the number has grown to 6.1 million enrollees in January 2008.14 This represents an increase of 1.6 million since January 2007, 2.9 million since January 2006 and 5.1 million since March 2005. This growth has been visible across all segments. However, the growth in large groups and small groups has been much higher than in the individual category. According to the projections made by the U.S. Treasury Department, the number of HSA policy holders will increase to 14 million by 2010. These 14 million policies will provide cover to 25 to 30 million U.S. citizens.</div>
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In the Individual Market, 1.5 million people were covered by HSA/HDHPs purchased as on January 2008. Based on the number of covered lives, 27 percent of newly purchased individual policies (defined as those purchased during the most recent full month or quarter) were enrolled in HSA/HDHP coverage. In the small group market, enrollment stood at 1.8 million as of January 2008. In this group 31 percent of all new enrollments were in the HSA/HDHP category. The large group category had the largest enrollment with 2.8 million enrollees as of January 2008. In this category, six percent of all new enrollments were in the HSA/HDHP category.</div>
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Benefits of HSAs</div>
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The proponents of HSAs envisage a number of benefits from them. First and foremost it is believed that as they have a high deductible threshold, the insured will be more health conscious. Also they will be more cost conscious. The high deductibles will encourage people to be more careful about their health and health care expenses and will make them shop for bargains and be more vigilant against excesses in the health care industry. This, it is believed, will reduce the growing cost of health care and increase the efficiency of the health care system in the United States. HSA-eligible plans typically provide enrollee decision support tools that include, to some extent, information on the cost of health care services and the quality of health care providers. Experts suggest that reliable information about the cost of particular health care services and the quality of specific health care providers would help enrollees become more actively engaged in making health care purchasing decisions. These tools may be provided by health insurance carriers to all health insurance plan enrollees, but are likely to be more important to enrollees of HSA-eligible plans who have a greater financial incentive to make informed decisions about the quality and costs of health care providers and services.</div>
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It is believed that lower premiums associated with HSAs/HDHPs will enable more people to enroll for medical insurance. This will mean that lower income groups who do not have access to medicare will be able to open HSAs. No doubt higher deductibles are associated with HSA eligible HDHPs, but it is estimated that tax savings under HSAs and lower premiums will make them less expensive than other insurance plans. The funds put in the HSA can be rolled over from year to year. There are no use it or lose it rules. This leads to a growth in savings of the account holder. The funds can be accumulated tax free for future medical expenses if the holder so desires. Also the savings in the HSA can be grown through investments.</div>
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The nature of such investments is decided by the insured. The earnings on savings in the HSA are also exempt from income tax. The holder can withdraw his savings in the HSA after turning 65 years old without paying any taxes or penalties. The account holder has complete control over his/her account. He/She is the owner of the account right from its inception. A person can withdraw money as and when required without any gatekeeper. Also the owner decides how much to put in his/her account, how much to spend and how much to save for the future. The HSAs are portable in nature. This means that if the holder changes his/her job, becomes unemployed or moves to another location, he/she can still retain the account.</div>
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Also if the account holder so desires he can transfer his Health Saving Account from one managing agency to another. Thus portability is an advantage of HSAs. Another advantage is that most HSA plans provide first-dollar coverage for preventive care. This is true of virtually all HSA plans offered by large employers and over 95% of the plans offered by small employers. It was also true of over half (59%) of the plans which were purchased by individuals.</div>
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All of the plans offering first-dollar preventive care benefits included annual physicals, immunizations, well-baby and wellchild care, mammograms and Pap tests; 90% included prostate cancer screenings and 80% included colon cancer screenings. Some analysts believe that HSAs are more beneficial for the young and healthy as they do not have to pay frequent out of pocket costs. On the other hand, they have to pay lower premiums for HDHPs which help them meet unforeseen contingencies.</div>
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Health Savings Accounts are also advantageous for the employers. The benefits of choosing a health Savings Account over a traditional health insurance plan can directly affect the bottom line of an employer's benefit budget. For instance Health Savings Accounts are dependent on a high deductible insurance policy, which lowers the premiums of the employee's plan. Also all contributions to the Health Savings Account are pre-tax, thus lowering the gross payroll and reducing the amount of taxes the employer must pay.</div>
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Criticism of HSAs</div>
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The opponents of Health Savings Accounts contend that they would do more harm than good to America's health insurance system. Some consumer organizations, such as Consumers Union, and many medical organizations, such as the American Public Health Association, have rejected HSAs because, in their opinion, they benefit only healthy, younger people and make the health care system more expensive for everyone else. According to Stanford economist Victor Fuchs, "The main effect of putting more of it on the consumer is to reduce the social redistributive element of insurance.</div>
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Some others believe that HSAs remove healthy people from the insurance pool and it makes premiums rise for everyone left. HSAs encourage people to look out for themselves more and spread the risk around less. Another concern is that the money people save in HSAs will be inadequate. Some people believe that HSAs do not allow for enough savings to cover costs. Even the person who contributes the maximum and never takes any money out would not be able to cover health care costs in retirement if inflation continues in the health care industry.</div>
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Opponents of HSAs, also include distinguished figures like state Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, who called them a "dangerous prescription" that will destabilize the health insurance marketplace and make things even worse for the uninsured. Another criticism is that they benefit the rich more than the poor. Those who earn more will be able to get bigger tax breaks than those who earn less. Critics point out that higher deductibles along with insurance premiums will take away a large share of the earnings of the low income groups. Also lower income groups will not benefit substantially from tax breaks as they are already paying little or no taxes. On the other hand tax breaks on savings in HSAs and on further income from those HSA savings will cost billions of dollars of tax money to the exchequer.</div>
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The Treasury Department has estimated HSAs would cost the government $156 billion over a decade. Critics say that this could rise substantially. Several surveys have been conducted regarding the efficacy of the HSAs and some have found that the account holders are not particularly satisfied with the HSA scheme and many are even ignorant about the working of the HSAs. One such survey conducted in 2007 of American employees by the human resources consulting firm Towers Perrin showed satisfaction with account based health plans (ABHPs) was low. People were not happy with them in general compared with people with more traditional health care. Respondants said they were not comfortable with the risk and did not understand how it works.</div>
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According to the Commonwealth Fund, early experience with HAS eligible high-deductible health plans reveals low satisfaction, high out of- pocket costs, and cost-related access problems. Another survey conducted with the Employee Benefits Research Institute found that people enrolled in HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans were much less satisfied with many aspects of their health care than adults in more comprehensive plans People in these plans allocate substantial amounts of income to their health care, especially those who have poorer health or lower incomes. The survey also found that adults in high-deductible health plans are far more likely to delay or avoid getting needed care, or to skip medications, because of the cost. Problems are particularly pronounced among those with poorer health or lower incomes.</div>
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Political leaders have also been vocal about their criticism of the HSAs. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. issued the following statement criticizing the HSAs "The President's health care plan is not about covering the uninsured, making health insurance affordable, or even driving down the cost of health care. Its real purpose is to make it easier for businesses to dump their health insurance burden onto workers, give tax breaks to the wealthy, and boost the profits of banks and financial brokers. The health care policies concocted at the behest of special interests do nothing to help the average American. In many cases, they can make health care even more inaccessible." In fact a report of the U.S. governments Accountability office, published on April 1, 2008 says that the rate of enrollment in the HSAs is greater for higher income individuals than for lower income ones.</div>
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A study titled "Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Plans: Are They an Option for Low-Income Families? By Catherine Hoffman and Jennifer Tolbert which was sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation reported the following key findings regarding the HSAs:</div>
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a) Premiums for HSA-qualified health plans may be lower than for traditional insurance, but these plans shift more of the financial risk to individuals and families through higher deductibles.<br />b) Premiums and out-of-pocket costs for HSA-qualified health plans would consume a substantial portion of a low-income family's budget.<br />c) Most low-income individuals and families do not face high enough tax liability to benefit in a significant way from tax deductions associated with HSAs.<br />d) People with chronic conditions, disabilities, and others with high cost medical needs may face even greater out-of-pocket costs under HSA-qualified health plans.<br />e) Cost-sharing reduces the use of health care, especially primary and preventive services, and low-income individuals and those who are sicker are particularly sensitive to cost-sharing increases.<br />f) Health savings accounts and high deductible plans are unlikely to substantially increase health insurance coverage among the uninsured.</div>
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Choosing a Health Plan</div>
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Despite the advantages offered by the HSA, it may not be suitable for everyone. While choosing an insurance plan, an individual must consider the following factors:</div>
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1. The premiums to be paid.<br />2. Coverage/benefits available under the scheme.<br />3. Various exclusions and limitations.<br />4. Portability.<br />5. Out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance, co-pays, and deductibles.<br />6. Access to doctors, hospitals, and other providers.<br />7. How much and sometimes how one pays for care.<br />8. Any existing health issue or physical disability.<br />9. Type of tax savings available.</div>
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The plan you choose should according to your requirements and financial ability.</div>
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BIBLIOGRAPHY</div>
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1 Questions and Answers about Health Insurance- A Consumer Guide' published jointly by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)<br />2 <a href="http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_savings_account" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_savings_account</a><br />3 2002 AHIP Survey of Health Insurance Plans<br />4 "How High Is Too High? Implications of High-Deductible Health Plans" Davis, Karen; Michelle Doty and Alice Ho. The Commonwealth Fund, April 2005<br />5 <a href="http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/schs/pdf/hsa_tri-fold_brochure.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/schs/pdf/hsa_tri-fold_brochure.pdf</a><br />6 HSA/HDHP CENSUS 2008 by Hannah Yoo, Center for Policy and Research, America's Health Insurance Plans<br />7"HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS Early Enrollee Experiences with Accounts and Eligible Health Plans" John E. Dicken Director, Health Care.<br />8 Thomas Wilder and Hannah Yoo, "A Survey of Preventive Benefits in Health Savings Account (HSA)Plans, July 2007," America's Health Insurance Plans, November 2007<br />9 Gladwell, Malcolm, "The Moral Hazard Myth", The New Yorker (29-08-2005)<br />10 2008 Benchmark Survey HAS Bank<br />11. Employer Health Benefits 2007 Annual Survey, Kaiser Family Foundation<br />12. Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Plans: Are They An Option for Low-Income Families?Catherine Hoffman and Jennifer Tolbert for Kaiser Family Foundation, October 2006<br />13. Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1863335</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-81712373815292488532013-11-04T14:17:00.003-08:002013-11-04T14:17:38.973-08:00Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use the techniques Dr. Kuhn teaches in this article. When you are able to experience this improvement, your relationships blossom, career paths open, and people find you attractive and accessible. You deserve to have fun and joy in your life - and Cliff Kuhn, M.D. will help you do that.</div>
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In the classic Frank Capra film, It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey's mental health is overwhelmed by the difficulties of his life and he wishes he'd never been born. George's guardian angel grants his wish and takes him to a grim reality as it would've been without him. George feels nothing when he reaches into his coat pocket to retrieve the flower his daughter, Zuzu, placed there - and that's when George knows that his wish has come true...he's never been born.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg4ixSAI0WweqFVzl_O_Dq27fVxIuWF42agY6hyg47hCMmWfl0PslZ-F56Cqbo0dJm8grSGv8iK_Iw63gqc-7r2v1m_X8wt62876e43_CNmvo5du2wLVWkNzOFZd1Sm9aOQkSlpJopxv_/s1600/MPj04009410000%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg4ixSAI0WweqFVzl_O_Dq27fVxIuWF42agY6hyg47hCMmWfl0PslZ-F56Cqbo0dJm8grSGv8iK_Iw63gqc-7r2v1m_X8wt62876e43_CNmvo5du2wLVWkNzOFZd1Sm9aOQkSlpJopxv_/s320/MPj04009410000%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a>Wishing she had never been born, Roberta became my patient, seeking desperately to improve her mental health. Like the fictional George Bailey character, Roberta's depression and anxiety had grown so strong as to threaten her ability to lead any semblance of a normal life. Fortunately for Roberta, she soon discovered exactly why the natural medicine of humor is one of the most powerful adjunctive treatments for improving mental health, because humor literally pours water on the fire of depression and anxiety.</div>
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Roberta is not alone. As many as 35% of all Americans suffer from depression and anxiety, the twins that make mental health elusive for millions. Your depression and anxiety is exacerbated by your seriousness - taking yourself too seriously. As we move into adulthood, we unfortunately buy into the notion that responsible and productive people must be "serious." As we make the biggest mistake of our lives and relegate our humor nature and fun to recreational activities (if we experience fun at all), we doom ourselves to all the symptoms of the corresponding seriousness that fills the void - declining health, rising stress, increased pain, lessened energy, impaired creativity, and more.</div>
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The good news for your mental health, however, is that we know how to shrink your deadly seriousness to practically nothing and reduce almost completely the sway it holds over your health, vitality, wellness, and zest. The natural medicine of humor is an incredibly powerful resource that you already possess; you've only forgotten how to use it to maximum effectiveness. You will soon discover that, while not a panacea, the natural medicine of humor is a tremendous tonic for depression or anxiety and will also supercharge other treatments because it is an amazing adjunctive medicine too!</div>
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I have distilled the natural medicine of humor, through my years of medical practice, into an amazing prescription I call The Fun Factor. Based on what I learned over twenty years ago from a terminally ill fifteen-year-old patient, I created a unique set of principles I call the Fun Commandments, then forged these Commandments into my Fun Factor prescription and have been prescribing The Fun Factor with great success for years. This report will show you how to use just three of my Fun Commandments to turn your mental health around, and gain new joy, pleasure, and appreciation from your life!</div>
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Improve Your Mental Health Using My Fun Factor Prescription</div>
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Step One: Always Go the Extra Smile</div>
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The first Fun Commandment I recommend for improved mental health is: Always Go the Extra Smile. This Commandment is doubly helpfully for depression and anxiety because not only does it provide measurable emotional and physical relief, but it also is completely under your control - regardless of your circumstances. Because smiling remains totally under your control, it can be your greatest resource for using humor's natural medicine to accelerate your mental health.</div>
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Smiling produces measurable physical benefits you can experience immediately: your stress decreases, your immunity improves, your pain and frustration tolerances increase, and your creativity soars. And guess what? You experience all these benefits even if your smile is "fake." That's right...forcing a smile onto your face perks up your immune system and lightens your mood just as readily as a genuine smile. Fake a smile and you'll soon feel well enough to wear a real one!</div>
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This is great news for your proactive stance on sustainable mental health. You have an amazing amount of pre-emptive control over your mood - you can, literally, choose more energy and happiness. The key for your use of this Fun Commandment in enhancing your mental health is to start practicing right now, so that smiling becomes an entrenched, habitual method of accessing the natural medicine of humor. If you wait to smile until your mental health has taken a turn for the worse, and depression or anxiety has taken hold of you, it will not be as effective.</div>
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Step Two: Act and Interact</div>
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Smiling leads us right into the second Fun Commandment you'll find instrumental in maintaining your mental health: Act and Interact. Humor's natural medicine works best when we are sharing ourselves and this Commandment will teach you how to capitalize on the control you've taken over your physiology and mood by smiling. Acting and interacting is now easier for you to do because you're smiling more. Not only is your mood improved, but your smile is also a pleasant invitation to other people.</div>
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My suggestion is that you solidify the power of this Commandment by setting a reasonable goal regarding the number of people you will interact with each day. These social interactions are great for your mental health, forcing you to exchange information and ideas with another person. Combined with your commitment to smiling, your interactions should be pleasant, because your heightened energy, lessened pain, and lowered stress levels are very attractive to others.</div>
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Beyond keeping you out of isolation, there is another reason why acting and interacting with the people you encounter fosters improved mental health. It allows you to avoid spiritual "flat tires." Spiritual flat tires occur when you sidestep, or avoid, an interaction that is about to happen naturally - you duck into an office to avoid encountering someone in a hallway or you don't answer the phone because you don't want to talk to the person calling. This type of avoidance drains and deletes your reservoir of powerful natural energy and siphons your mental health reserves.</div>
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Have you ever noticed that it usually takes you twice as much mental and physical energy to avoid doing a job than you would have expended just doing it? It also takes twice the energy to avoid acting and interacting with the people who cross your path because you are, in effect, saying, "I'm going to correct the mistake that nature made by putting this person in my path and I'm going to correct it by being mentally and spiritually negligent." Mental and spiritual negligence have the same effect as physical negligence (isn't it strange how you get tired if you don't exercise?). If your mental health can afford to allow this much energy to be drained, then you have a much bigger reservoir than I!</div>
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But spiritual flat tires do more than drain our energy, they are detrimental in at least two additional ways:</div>
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We miss out on an interaction with a teacher. If nature didn't have a lesson for you, that person you just avoided would not have been placed in your path. You say that the person you just avoided was a negative influence or would've wasted your time? I know we have legitimate schedules to keep, but if I am avoiding people based on my prejudgment of them, I'm cutting myself off from my greatest teachers - those very same people.<br />We all learn tolerance from the intolerant, patience from the impatient, temperance from the intemperate, gentleness from the ruffian, etc. I am supremely grateful for those teachers and the lessons they give me.</div>
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We create a small, nagging spiritual void of dishonesty, the kind of dishonesty that keeps us from laying our heads down with complete peace of mind each night. Our spiritual flat tire is caused by the pothole our avoidance created; it is a natural consequence, or symptom, of our spiritual dishonesty. These consequences clutter our lives with mental and emotional baggage that further drains us of our energy and vitality.</div>
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Step Three: Celebrate Everything</div>
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The third Fun Commandment which will help you use the natural medicine of humor to charge up your mental health is: Celebrate Everything. Celebrating everything may sound like a monumental task to someone who's mental health isn't up to par, but you will find this part of my doctor's orders much easier to fulfill once you start practicing my first two Commandments. In fact, celebrating everything is more than a maintenance step providing sustainable mental health. It will also become your lifestyle, the more you practice it, because you will enjoy the results so much.</div>
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How do you celebrate everything and how will this keep your mental health on the upswing? The epitome of this Commandment is found in the old joke about the boy who wanted a pony for his birthday. Instead, he found a room full of manure waiting for him. But he dove right into the dung, gleefully exclaiming, "With all this manure, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"</div>
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Laugh as we might, we're quick to remember that, as adults, we would never allow ourselves such "naive" enthusiasm. Why not? Do you realize what is behind such a "grown up," "mature" decision? Your deadly seriousness (taking yourself too seriously) encourages the attitude that a mature adult should not let herself be so optimistic and thus mental health is jeopardized.</div>
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We could do more than chuckle at this birthday boy's unabashed optimism - we should emulate it! When was the last time you encountered an unexpected pile of manure in your life? You had absolutely no control over the mess, right? But you had absolute control over your reaction to it and this is the key to using celebration to keep your mental health improved!</div>
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When you celebrate everything, the natural medicine of humor creates spiritual, emotional, and mental health like nothing you've felt before. You will find that your fears become much less controlling when you are celebrating everything because it no longer matters so much how things turn out. In fact, you are literally ready for anything because you are prepared to find the blessing in whatever happens.</div>
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My daughter-in-law, for example, broke her back last year. My son, who is often my model for the embodiment of my Fun Commandments, can tick off a laundry list of blessings his family has received as a direct result of his wife's "tragedy." Not that his mental health hasn't been challenged, but faced with the choice of depression and anxiety over an event he couldn't control versus finding the blessings waiting for him, he has chosen the latter.</div>
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The choice to celebrate everything is not a panacea; my son's choice did not change the reality of his wife's injury. What did change, however, was his ability to respond to the injury and, thus, keep his mental health on an even keel. Celebrating everything changes our lives because it allows us to positively control the only things we have control over - our actions, ideas, and attitudes.</div>
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There you have it. Start by going the extra smile, use your newfound smiling energy and vitality to act and interact with people, and celebrate everything to maintain your positive momentum. Say good-bye to imprisonment from depression and anxiety and welcome to your new world of improved mental health!<br />Start Using The Fun Factor to Improve Your Mental Health...Right Now</div>
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Here are some simple, easy steps you can take right now to turbo-charge your mental health.</div>
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Subscribe to my Fun Times newsletter. The Fun Times is all about using your natural power of humor to increase the quality of your life - including your mental health. The Fun Times is 100% free, and is delivered instantly, every week, to your email inbox. If you sign up now, I'll also throw in a copy of my "Stop Your Seriousness" Ecourse and my book, Ten Ways You Can Be Happier...Right Now! which will show you how you can use my Fun Factor prescription in your life to increase your mental health!</div>
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Check out The Fun Factor. This prescription has changed so many lives for the better - it would be a shame if you passed it up. Check it out here if you're sick of wishing for mental health and want to finally achieve your greatest mental health!<br />My patient Roberta, by the way, learned to use these three Fun Commandments - and the rest of my Fun Factor prescription. She has enjoyed the same job for three years now and was recently engaged to be married. Roberta occasionally has setbacks, as most people suffering from depression or anxiety do. But, her mental health has never been stronger as she continues to apply The Fun Factor to her life.</div>
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In It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey is so shocked by the grim vision of a world without him that he decides he wants to live again and begs to return. He knows he is back when he finds Zuzu's flower petals in his coat pocket again.</div>
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Let this article be like finding Zuzu's petals. Move forward today with a new, positive outlook on your improved mental health by using my Fun Factor prescription.</div>
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Clifford Kuhn, M.D., America's Laugh Doctor, teaches people and organizations to be more healthy and successful through the use of fun and humor. A psychiatrist, and the former associate chairperson of the University of Louisville's renowned Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Kuhn now dispenses his prescription for turbo-charging your health, success, and vitality from <a href="http://www.natural-humor-medicine.com/EZA3" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.natural-humor-medicine.com/EZA3</a> On his website you will find tons of fun, free ways for you to maximize your sense of humor, and enjoy a life others will envy.</div>
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Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Kuhn,_M.D." style="color: #1900ff;">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Kuhn,_M.D.</a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10788</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573369839311113750.post-78351340579428515292013-11-04T14:14:00.001-08:002013-11-04T14:14:30.673-08:00Group Health Insurance Quote Tips<div id="article-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
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<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Group Health Insurance is necessary to attract and keep good employees. While employers may not like the cost of group health, they should be aware of the benefits to the company and overall morale. There may be things you as an employer can do to alleviate some of this costly pain. Also, all Group Health companies and insurance agents that offer them are not created equal.</span></div>
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The cost of this health insurance versus the need for solid employees should be weighed. There a perception that many in this country that employees will take a cut in pay if they were to be guaranteed a group health plan. There is a simple explanation for this reasoning. People know they will have to go the doctor. Women need to have mammograms and pap smears, the children need their shots and physicals, and men need their prostrate examined, people realize these services cost money. Employees often would prefer that you take money out their check for group health then for them to write a check each month for it.</div>
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Get up to Five Free Group Health Insurance Quotes</div>
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It is the job of to keep your group health cost to a minimum. If you already have a group health plan, you can raise the deductible to discourage overuse of coverage by your employees. However a dramatic raising of group health deductible or co-payment may cause some rumbling among your employees. Yet it is t is a good idea to start with a lower deductible, so you can absorb rate increases. (Your group health rates will go up) Also know beforehand what networks are in your area, and what health networks most of your employees' doctors belong to.</div>
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It is very important to review and understand your group health quotes that you will receive. Any insurance agent or broker that provides you with initial group health quotes over the phone, without having your employees fill out any applications, is doing you a disservice. Unless the agent is the Great Houdini, no one in our field can give you a firm, group health quote without a thorough underwriting. Group Health Insurance is too complicated to be taken this casual. Remember, look for an agent that gets to know your particular situation, understand your needs, and has the group health benefits that meet your expectations.</div>
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Is going with the biggest named group health insurance companies, the best choice? Choosing the "big name" companies over less known, group health insurance companies with reputable ratings, may not be in your employees and yours' best interest. All group health plan are not designed the same. If XYZ, group health companies pays 80% for a mammogram and ABC, group health company pays all, could it make sense to you to check the other benefits of the health plan?</div>
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Employers realize that they must offer group health to attract and keep quality employees. There are a few hints that can keep group health costs down. It is important to realize that an initial group health quote, with no underwriting is worthless and probably should never be used. The listings of the benefits of the group health plan would be meaningful. While big companies have good "branding," do not overlook smaller group health companies with good ratings.</div>
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Other Group Health Tips</div>
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1. Realize that you will be required as an employer to contribute as least 25% of the premiums for the group health insurance. (I never seen an group health carrier ask for less.)</div>
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2. Also realize that many group health carriers want at least 60- 70% participation of eligible employees to take the group health insurance or they will not underwrite the group.</div>
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3. Before you bind coverage with an agent or broker, find out who will process any claim paperwork and who your employees call about a claim.</div>
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4. Decide whether you will want current employees to keep their group health insurance when they retire.</div>
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5. Review and ask questions about such terms as group health deductibles, coinsurance, and maximum limits if you are not familiar with them.</div>
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Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of <a href="http://www.hometownquotes.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site</a>. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit <a href="http://www.hometownquotes.com/" style="color: #1900ff;" target="_new">http://www.hometownquotes.com</a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/102737</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884056406954910252noreply@blogger.com0