By Suzie Springer
Maintaining healthy, vibrant looking long hair requires a great deal of time and effort. There are a number of problems that naturally accompany long hair. Your lifestyle and you diet will have an affect on the quality of your hair. If you don't maintain a healthy balanced diet or if you skip a lot of meals eat, you are more likely to have hair that is dry and coarser. Stress and a lack of sleep also play apart in your hairs health, and the longer your is hair, the more noticeable the damage will be to your hair. Hair breakage is very common with long hair. When strands of long hair start to break, your hair will start to take on an uneven look. Hair breakage is the cause of flyaway hair and split ends. To keep your hair looking healthy, and tidy you need to engage yourself in a long hair care program that will restore the luster and shine of your long hair. However when it comes to long hair care products, you should be very careful!
Today there are many long hair care products being sold that might not be suitable for your hair. If you are serious about finding a long hair care program that will work well with your hair you should consult an expert before you purchase any over the counter products. A expert will be able to look at your damaged hair and provide you with sound advice concerning products you should use to fix the damage that has been done that has been done to your hair. Because there are a number of things that we don't about our own hair its always a good idea to consult an expert first and get their advice. I'm not going to lie to you, unless you are a really smooth talker your probably going to need to spend some money to get a professional to look at your hair and give you advice, but the money you end up spending will be well worth the advice the advice that you are given.
In order to maintain healthy long hair, constant trimming and proper shampooing need to be part of your hair care program. Because its impossible to avoid hair breakage, you need to trim your hair regularly. Whenever you notice splits ends you should go, and get your hair trimmed before your hair starts to look untidy. You should also use a shampoo that is right for your type of hair. You should always follow the advice of your hair care expert when it comes to choosing the shampoo that is right for your hair type, and you should never purchase anyone of the run of the mill shampoos that you find on the shelf at your local supermarket without consulting a hair care specialist first.
Are you sick and tired of dealing with hairstyle nightmares? Do you want to get the heads up on the latest summer hairstyles? Then you need to visit: http://www.SizzlingHairStyles.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Acne Myths On What Causes Acne
Author: Kanishk manchanda
Common ailments like acne have their share of myths. This is primarily because the occurrence of acne is commonplace and so everyone has a theory about it. One need not be a doctor to point out as to what causes acne. Some people would simply blame it on the modern day pollution while some would hold our food habits responsible. And then there are some people who would say that acne is caused because people today have started leading unhygienic lives.
Probably, many of these people are right, but they are partly right at best because there is no single cause of acne. It can occur for many reasons, and there may also be a combination of causes responsible for it.
The primary reason for acne in most of the cases is the dead cells, sebum and clogged pores. The outbreak of acne can be reduced in intensity by regular washing of face. We have long held things like junk food and chocolates responsible for acne. However, the recent researches do not conclusively establish the connection.
Since the researches have not concluded that there is a certain connection between acne outbreaks and these foods, it cannot be said that eating chocolates and junk food can cause acne. But some researches have found that intake of iodine may cause acne outbreak. So, if you want to prevent acne, keep a check on your sea food intake because it does contain quite a generous amount of iodine.
Another myth associated with acne is that it is an adolescence problem. It is true that acne is caused mostly by hormonal imbalance, which is normally noticed during the growing-up days. But acne has been found to hit people in their 30s, too. Though it is less common in people who are older than 20 year of age, but it can occur at any stage in one’s life.
Also, during pregnancy many women experience acne problem. This is because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. However, in such cases acne problem goes away after the delivery.
The myths associated with acne are many, and most of them are baseless. It is better to consult an expert and seek help rather than trying to find one’s way through the jungle of the never-ending myths.
To know more about acne treatment myths and pimples and zits visit http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/magazine/edition/Adult-Pimples.htm
Common ailments like acne have their share of myths. This is primarily because the occurrence of acne is commonplace and so everyone has a theory about it. One need not be a doctor to point out as to what causes acne. Some people would simply blame it on the modern day pollution while some would hold our food habits responsible. And then there are some people who would say that acne is caused because people today have started leading unhygienic lives.
Probably, many of these people are right, but they are partly right at best because there is no single cause of acne. It can occur for many reasons, and there may also be a combination of causes responsible for it.
The primary reason for acne in most of the cases is the dead cells, sebum and clogged pores. The outbreak of acne can be reduced in intensity by regular washing of face. We have long held things like junk food and chocolates responsible for acne. However, the recent researches do not conclusively establish the connection.
Since the researches have not concluded that there is a certain connection between acne outbreaks and these foods, it cannot be said that eating chocolates and junk food can cause acne. But some researches have found that intake of iodine may cause acne outbreak. So, if you want to prevent acne, keep a check on your sea food intake because it does contain quite a generous amount of iodine.
Another myth associated with acne is that it is an adolescence problem. It is true that acne is caused mostly by hormonal imbalance, which is normally noticed during the growing-up days. But acne has been found to hit people in their 30s, too. Though it is less common in people who are older than 20 year of age, but it can occur at any stage in one’s life.
Also, during pregnancy many women experience acne problem. This is because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. However, in such cases acne problem goes away after the delivery.
The myths associated with acne are many, and most of them are baseless. It is better to consult an expert and seek help rather than trying to find one’s way through the jungle of the never-ending myths.
To know more about acne treatment myths and pimples and zits visit http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/magazine/edition/Adult-Pimples.htm
Sunday, April 15, 2007
TEA OR COFFEE - THE MORNING CUPPA
Author: Jay Chatterjee
Is that coffee in your morning cuppa? Think again before you take that first luxurious sip.
Ironically, the very substance that wakes you up, lets you down!
Over a period of time, caffeine can cause arthritis, stress and depression. Researchers say that it strains almost every organ and body system ; the liver, pancreas, glands, nerves, digestion and circulation. And that's not all; brain chemistry, too, becomes distorted through excessive caffeine dependence, resulting in over stimulation of the parts of the brain that regulate heart rate, breathing and muscle activity.
Difficult to give up, isn't it? How will you ever get through the day without it's boosting effect? But consider why and how it acts as a mood enhancer! Within 5 minutes of drinking it the caffeine hits your brain. Building up to a peak in 30 minutes....the high lasts from twelve to twenty hours. Like "speed", it unnaturally accelerates your thoughts, and physical ability to do things. It causes blood sugar to quickly rise and fall and stimulates the release of adrenaline. You work faster and do more, until you crash.
However, in the process, too much insulin is produced and blood sugar levels fall to a low level. That is why caffeine has been linked to diabetes. Coffee nerves include anxiety, irritability, lightheadedness, nausea and diarrhea.
Really bushed, but you need to work late on that report? Don't reach for a cup of coffee! All it will do is fool your body into thinking that it's not tired. The chemicals cause a temporary anti-depressant response in the brain and prevent the cortex from receiving the chemical signal that tells it that the body needs rest. Your brain is on high alert, but not in a natural way!
You MUST have a cup because you're hung-over and know no other way to silence the pounding drums inside your head? Hangovers are caused by alcohol expanding the blood vessels in the head. People with hangovers drink coffee because it constricts those swollen vessels. Drink lots of water instead!
We all need water to think, move and live. For every cup of coffee you drink, you lose approximately one and one-half cups of fluid. If you drink a caffeinated beverage while eating, you deprive yourself of food's nutritional value. Its diuretic effect depletes your nutritional reserves and lowers your resistance to illness. Essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamins B (especially B-i) and C, are leached from your body. Your ability to absorb iron and calcium is impaired, which increases the chances of osteoporosis, anemia and kidney stones.
Cholesterol levels have been found to be dramatically higher in people who are habitual coffee drinkers... two or more cups of coffee a day. All this may increase your risk of heart disease. A rapid, racing or irregular heartbeat is one of the most common effects of caffeine. It raises blood pressure; elevates cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Additional norepinephrine secretion into the blood causes constriction of blood flow.
Need coffee to tackle constipation? It does this at the cost of impairing your colon's normal peristaltic action, while the artificial stimulation causes diarrhea and stomach cramps. As with all addictive drugs, the amount of caffeine needed to move your bowels increases with regular use. And while on the subject of our innards, remember that caffeine raises your stomach's production of hydrochloric acid, which is why there is a strong connection between ulcers, gastritis and caffeine. Abdominal pain is another common side effect of caffeine. Irritated bowels and intestines, leading to hemorrhoids, can develop as it dries out the intestinal lining.
The older you are the more caffeine sensitive you become. Caffeine can trigger facial spasms or tics, especially in children.
In 1996 the average American consumed over fifty-three gallons of soft drinks. An American child drinks about a can a day, an estimated thirty gallons of soda a year! If you add up the caffeine in chocolate and soft drinks, junior may be taking in hundreds of milligrams of caffeine every day. Because kids weigh less, the caffeine ratio is greater and more harmful.
Caffeine is listed as an addictive drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sodas, bottled teas and even water may contain caffeine. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, maintains that as little as three to five cans of cola (not including chocolate and coffee) can make a person caffeine dependent. Yet beverages are not required to list the presence or amount of caffeine added.
A psychoactive drug, its toxicity is cumulative. By the time part of the ingested caffeine is eliminated, coffee addicts have taken in more caffeine, repeating the vicious cycle over and over ! Could it be that the measured amounts are calculated to keep us addicted in much the same way as nicotine is measured out by cigarette manufacturers?
Wouldn't it be safer and wiser to drink tea instead?
Is that coffee in your morning cuppa? Think again before you take that first luxurious sip.
Ironically, the very substance that wakes you up, lets you down!
Over a period of time, caffeine can cause arthritis, stress and depression. Researchers say that it strains almost every organ and body system ; the liver, pancreas, glands, nerves, digestion and circulation. And that's not all; brain chemistry, too, becomes distorted through excessive caffeine dependence, resulting in over stimulation of the parts of the brain that regulate heart rate, breathing and muscle activity.
Difficult to give up, isn't it? How will you ever get through the day without it's boosting effect? But consider why and how it acts as a mood enhancer! Within 5 minutes of drinking it the caffeine hits your brain. Building up to a peak in 30 minutes....the high lasts from twelve to twenty hours. Like "speed", it unnaturally accelerates your thoughts, and physical ability to do things. It causes blood sugar to quickly rise and fall and stimulates the release of adrenaline. You work faster and do more, until you crash.
However, in the process, too much insulin is produced and blood sugar levels fall to a low level. That is why caffeine has been linked to diabetes. Coffee nerves include anxiety, irritability, lightheadedness, nausea and diarrhea.
Really bushed, but you need to work late on that report? Don't reach for a cup of coffee! All it will do is fool your body into thinking that it's not tired. The chemicals cause a temporary anti-depressant response in the brain and prevent the cortex from receiving the chemical signal that tells it that the body needs rest. Your brain is on high alert, but not in a natural way!
You MUST have a cup because you're hung-over and know no other way to silence the pounding drums inside your head? Hangovers are caused by alcohol expanding the blood vessels in the head. People with hangovers drink coffee because it constricts those swollen vessels. Drink lots of water instead!
We all need water to think, move and live. For every cup of coffee you drink, you lose approximately one and one-half cups of fluid. If you drink a caffeinated beverage while eating, you deprive yourself of food's nutritional value. Its diuretic effect depletes your nutritional reserves and lowers your resistance to illness. Essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamins B (especially B-i) and C, are leached from your body. Your ability to absorb iron and calcium is impaired, which increases the chances of osteoporosis, anemia and kidney stones.
Cholesterol levels have been found to be dramatically higher in people who are habitual coffee drinkers... two or more cups of coffee a day. All this may increase your risk of heart disease. A rapid, racing or irregular heartbeat is one of the most common effects of caffeine. It raises blood pressure; elevates cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Additional norepinephrine secretion into the blood causes constriction of blood flow.
Need coffee to tackle constipation? It does this at the cost of impairing your colon's normal peristaltic action, while the artificial stimulation causes diarrhea and stomach cramps. As with all addictive drugs, the amount of caffeine needed to move your bowels increases with regular use. And while on the subject of our innards, remember that caffeine raises your stomach's production of hydrochloric acid, which is why there is a strong connection between ulcers, gastritis and caffeine. Abdominal pain is another common side effect of caffeine. Irritated bowels and intestines, leading to hemorrhoids, can develop as it dries out the intestinal lining.
The older you are the more caffeine sensitive you become. Caffeine can trigger facial spasms or tics, especially in children.
In 1996 the average American consumed over fifty-three gallons of soft drinks. An American child drinks about a can a day, an estimated thirty gallons of soda a year! If you add up the caffeine in chocolate and soft drinks, junior may be taking in hundreds of milligrams of caffeine every day. Because kids weigh less, the caffeine ratio is greater and more harmful.
Caffeine is listed as an addictive drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sodas, bottled teas and even water may contain caffeine. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, maintains that as little as three to five cans of cola (not including chocolate and coffee) can make a person caffeine dependent. Yet beverages are not required to list the presence or amount of caffeine added.
A psychoactive drug, its toxicity is cumulative. By the time part of the ingested caffeine is eliminated, coffee addicts have taken in more caffeine, repeating the vicious cycle over and over ! Could it be that the measured amounts are calculated to keep us addicted in much the same way as nicotine is measured out by cigarette manufacturers?
Wouldn't it be safer and wiser to drink tea instead?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Hypnosis - 6 Powerful Techniques to Lose Weight for a Slim and Beautiful YOU
by pradeep aggarwal
By the end of this article, you will amaze yourself, as you will be aware of the hypnotic techniques that can help you drop out the extra calories that once stole the charm of your life and your beauty.
As a practitioner of Hypnosis I got various patients who were suffering with the problem of obesity. Many among them were the young girls. They came to me distressed and upset of their life and when they left, they were having a new and a positive attitude towards life. Such is the power of hypnosis. Two prominent causes that were making them worried and disturbed were (a). They cannot wear clothes, which they want to because of their over-weight and (b). The second cause was more severe than this; they were upset because the boys will not look at them. The boys call them aunty.
The hypnosis knows how severe this problem is. In this modern world, you have to maintain yourself so that you do not look outdated. The simple self-hypnotic techniques can make you gain the shape of your body, as you have always desired.
How hypnosis can help, you lose weight. It can do so because it orders your subconscious mind to make sufficient changes for your benefit. Hypnosis makes it possible. Here goes the 5 secret hypnotic techniques to lose weight:
1. Do not go for dieting: This is one of the basic and important secrets of hypnosis. People usually follow the short-cut method to lose weight i.e., dieting. However, it hardly works. The more you will deprive yourself of the food, the more you will generate curiosity towards it, as it is the tendency of man. Man has the habit the things, which he is told not to do. Thus, if you decide not to eat your mind thinks more of food. Eat less instead of dieting - this is the basic concept in hypnosis to loose weight.
2. Think less of food: This is another hypnotic technique, which works wonders. Experts say that people not only eat when they are hungry but also when they are alone, upset or stressed. This are the things that hypnosis reveals you. They seek eating as a relief from their problems or tensions. So, in hypnosis you are advised not to think of food often. You have to keep yourself busy when you feel alone. Involve yourself in any task so that you can avoid the thought of food at least for some time this is secret hypnosis.
Click Here... to learn the other powerful techniques that can amaze you because it will reveal you a beautiful personality, which resides within you.
By the end of this article, you will amaze yourself, as you will be aware of the hypnotic techniques that can help you drop out the extra calories that once stole the charm of your life and your beauty.
As a practitioner of Hypnosis I got various patients who were suffering with the problem of obesity. Many among them were the young girls. They came to me distressed and upset of their life and when they left, they were having a new and a positive attitude towards life. Such is the power of hypnosis. Two prominent causes that were making them worried and disturbed were (a). They cannot wear clothes, which they want to because of their over-weight and (b). The second cause was more severe than this; they were upset because the boys will not look at them. The boys call them aunty.
The hypnosis knows how severe this problem is. In this modern world, you have to maintain yourself so that you do not look outdated. The simple self-hypnotic techniques can make you gain the shape of your body, as you have always desired.
How hypnosis can help, you lose weight. It can do so because it orders your subconscious mind to make sufficient changes for your benefit. Hypnosis makes it possible. Here goes the 5 secret hypnotic techniques to lose weight:
1. Do not go for dieting: This is one of the basic and important secrets of hypnosis. People usually follow the short-cut method to lose weight i.e., dieting. However, it hardly works. The more you will deprive yourself of the food, the more you will generate curiosity towards it, as it is the tendency of man. Man has the habit the things, which he is told not to do. Thus, if you decide not to eat your mind thinks more of food. Eat less instead of dieting - this is the basic concept in hypnosis to loose weight.
2. Think less of food: This is another hypnotic technique, which works wonders. Experts say that people not only eat when they are hungry but also when they are alone, upset or stressed. This are the things that hypnosis reveals you. They seek eating as a relief from their problems or tensions. So, in hypnosis you are advised not to think of food often. You have to keep yourself busy when you feel alone. Involve yourself in any task so that you can avoid the thought of food at least for some time this is secret hypnosis.
Click Here... to learn the other powerful techniques that can amaze you because it will reveal you a beautiful personality, which resides within you.
Friday, April 13, 2007
All about Kids Birthday Cakes
Author: David Chandler
Do you know what is so special for a child's birthday celebration? It is the birthday cake. They love the moment of cutting the birthday cake. There can be so many gifts for the child, but the center of attraction is the birthday cake. Therefore, it is worth putting a lot of time and money in planning the birthday cake.
More than the taste, we need to concentrate in shape, color, and size of the birthday cake. It is always better if we could design the birthday cake in cartoon characters that are familiar to the children. If the birthday cake is made in the birthday child's favorite color, they will obliviously love it.
The birthday cake idea
If the birthday cake has a theme or idea the attraction for it, is immense. Here are few suggestions. There are Pirates and Princesses, a classic birthday cake themes for boys and girls. They can be Cinderella Castle Cake, ice Cream Castle Cake, Pirate Cake, Pirate Ship Cake, Princess Cake, Splendid Castle Cake, and Treasure Chest Cake
Sports- this birthday cake idea is for kids who love sports. They are Bowling Ball Cake, Bowling Lane Cake, Football Cake, and Skateboard Cake. Wings and Wheels-this birthday cake idea will really move your child. They are Train Cake, Dump Truck Cake, Fire Engine Cake, Outback Jeep Cake, Racetrack Cake, School Bus Cake, and Space Cake
Birthday cake designs
The birthday cake design can be anything. If the birthday cake design is different, meaningful, the kids, children and adults will appreciate it. Listed below are a few design ideas for your next birthday cake.
They are Apron Cake, Artist's Palette Cake, Boom Box Cake, Checkers Cake, Chinese Checkers Cake, Groovy T-shirt Cake, Pizza Cake, Private Eye Cake, Remote Control Cake, Smiley Face Cake, and Teeny Tiny Cake Tub Cake Upside-Down Cake, Volcano Cake Birth day cake decorating ideas
Once the birthday cake is made or purchased, it should be decorated well. The decoration is generally done to the top and sides of the cake. It is always better to decorate the birthday cake using the favorite color of the birthday boy or girl. The table in which the birthday cake is placed also should be decorated suitably.
Birthday cake recipe
An excellent birthday cake recipe is a 4-layer chocolate cake with whipped cream filling between the layers. The ingredients are -1 package Devils Food cake mix, 4 small cans or cups, Ready-to-Serve Chocolate Pudding, 1 egg, ? - 1 cup Chocolate Chips WHIPPED CREAM FILLING INGREDIENTS 2 cups, Whipping Cream, ? cup Powdered Confectioner's Sugar, 1 - 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
We can frost the entire cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting, and sprinkle the sides with chocolate sprinkles. The recipe Chocolate Whipped Cream consists of Frosting-1 ? cups, Heavy Whipping Cream1 ? cups, Powdered Sugar- 1/3-cup, Baking Cocoa-1/2 teaspoon, and Vanilla.
Children's birthday cakes
Children's birthday cakes must have a good design, shape, and size. If the cake has any theme or idea, the children will love it. If the design resembles a familiar character to the children like noddy, it will be an added attraction. The suggested children birthday cake models are Pureed Strawberries and Fresh Cream, Vanilla Sponge in Nemo, Teddy Bear, Power Puff Girls, Tweety, Winnie the Pooh, Flower Basket, Bob the Builder, Simpson's, Thomas The Train, Barbie, Star cakes.
For more information, visit these sites: www.BirthdayCakesInfo.com www.BirthdayPartyInfo.com
Do you know what is so special for a child's birthday celebration? It is the birthday cake. They love the moment of cutting the birthday cake. There can be so many gifts for the child, but the center of attraction is the birthday cake. Therefore, it is worth putting a lot of time and money in planning the birthday cake.
More than the taste, we need to concentrate in shape, color, and size of the birthday cake. It is always better if we could design the birthday cake in cartoon characters that are familiar to the children. If the birthday cake is made in the birthday child's favorite color, they will obliviously love it.
The birthday cake idea
If the birthday cake has a theme or idea the attraction for it, is immense. Here are few suggestions. There are Pirates and Princesses, a classic birthday cake themes for boys and girls. They can be Cinderella Castle Cake, ice Cream Castle Cake, Pirate Cake, Pirate Ship Cake, Princess Cake, Splendid Castle Cake, and Treasure Chest Cake
Sports- this birthday cake idea is for kids who love sports. They are Bowling Ball Cake, Bowling Lane Cake, Football Cake, and Skateboard Cake. Wings and Wheels-this birthday cake idea will really move your child. They are Train Cake, Dump Truck Cake, Fire Engine Cake, Outback Jeep Cake, Racetrack Cake, School Bus Cake, and Space Cake
Birthday cake designs
The birthday cake design can be anything. If the birthday cake design is different, meaningful, the kids, children and adults will appreciate it. Listed below are a few design ideas for your next birthday cake.
They are Apron Cake, Artist's Palette Cake, Boom Box Cake, Checkers Cake, Chinese Checkers Cake, Groovy T-shirt Cake, Pizza Cake, Private Eye Cake, Remote Control Cake, Smiley Face Cake, and Teeny Tiny Cake Tub Cake Upside-Down Cake, Volcano Cake Birth day cake decorating ideas
Once the birthday cake is made or purchased, it should be decorated well. The decoration is generally done to the top and sides of the cake. It is always better to decorate the birthday cake using the favorite color of the birthday boy or girl. The table in which the birthday cake is placed also should be decorated suitably.
Birthday cake recipe
An excellent birthday cake recipe is a 4-layer chocolate cake with whipped cream filling between the layers. The ingredients are -1 package Devils Food cake mix, 4 small cans or cups, Ready-to-Serve Chocolate Pudding, 1 egg, ? - 1 cup Chocolate Chips WHIPPED CREAM FILLING INGREDIENTS 2 cups, Whipping Cream, ? cup Powdered Confectioner's Sugar, 1 - 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
We can frost the entire cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting, and sprinkle the sides with chocolate sprinkles. The recipe Chocolate Whipped Cream consists of Frosting-1 ? cups, Heavy Whipping Cream1 ? cups, Powdered Sugar- 1/3-cup, Baking Cocoa-1/2 teaspoon, and Vanilla.
Children's birthday cakes
Children's birthday cakes must have a good design, shape, and size. If the cake has any theme or idea, the children will love it. If the design resembles a familiar character to the children like noddy, it will be an added attraction. The suggested children birthday cake models are Pureed Strawberries and Fresh Cream, Vanilla Sponge in Nemo, Teddy Bear, Power Puff Girls, Tweety, Winnie the Pooh, Flower Basket, Bob the Builder, Simpson's, Thomas The Train, Barbie, Star cakes.
For more information, visit these sites: www.BirthdayCakesInfo.com www.BirthdayPartyInfo.com
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Very Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy - Do You Know These Very Early Pregnancy Signs?
Very early symptoms of pregnancy - what are they? If asked, most women remember their very early pregnancy signs if they have been pregnant before. Some women can detect the moment they begin ovulating, while many women cannot tell when or if they have ovulated. Often, women can detect when the fertile days of their cycle has ended. Some can detect the moment they have become pregnant. And for others, one of the more accurate inexpensive home pregnancy tests is a reliable way to know that the very early symptoms of pregnancy you are having mean you really are pregnant.
Here are the earliest of the very early pregnancy signs:
? Missed Period - missing a menstrual period is an obvious very early pregnancy symptom. However, many women have missed periods for other reasons and conditions. These reasons include illness, stress, hormone imbalance, adverse reactions to foods and ingestion of substances that result in some level of adverse reaction. For a missed period to be one of the very early symptoms of pregnancy, it should be confirmed by other means.
? Morning Sickness - a feeling of nausea in the mornings can be another of the very early symptoms of pregnancy. But this very early pregnancy sign needs to be experienced for several days to be considered reliable. And nausea can have other causes that are not pregnancy related.
? Tender and Enlarged Breasts - very early in pregnancy, the body begins making a series of changes in the normal hormone levels. However, the body is unprepared for these changes when they first occur. There are several changes that will happen in the body in reaction to new hormone levels. One of the most noticable changes occur in the shape of and feelings of tenderness in the breasts. The good news is that these feelings of tenderness go away fairly quickly as the body becomes accustomed to the new hormone chemistry.
? Frequent Trips to the Bathroom - having to urinate more often is one of the very early pregnancy signs. Many women experience more frequent urination even before a missed period. The reason, as with tender and enlarged breasts, is a change in hormone levels produced by implantation of the embryo. A hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced, which has the side effect of causing more frequent urination. This is another of the very early symptoms of pregnancy which can be mistaken for some other condition, or as a reaction to the consumption of various foods or other substances. Pregnancy needs to be confirmed by the results of a pregnancy test.
? Fatigue - the lack of energy as one of the very early pregnancy signs is sometimes hard to distinguish from other kinds of exhaustion. Again, health professionals attribute this fatigue to the change in hormones in the body, which usually disappears as the body adjusts to the new hormone levels.
These are the most common very early pregnancy signs that most women agree on. Some women will experience only one of these signs, and some will have several or all of these very early symptoms of pregnancy. Once the very early pregnancy signs are experienced, confirm pregnancy by using one of the better home pregnancy tests (there are major differences in the reliability of the home tests for pregnancy). And the health of the baby begins with the mothers health and habits before conception as well as during pregnancy. Becoming pregnant and enjoying a successful pregnancy is a complex but wonderful experience. Learn as much as you can about fertility, pregnancy and your health so the brand new person will have the very best beginning to life that is possible.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About The Author: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - visit the website for more information on pregnancy, ovulation and fertility, progesterone levels during pregnancy, prenatal vitamins and the reliability of early home pregnancy tests.
This article is free for republishingSource: http://www.articlealley.com/
Here are the earliest of the very early pregnancy signs:
? Missed Period - missing a menstrual period is an obvious very early pregnancy symptom. However, many women have missed periods for other reasons and conditions. These reasons include illness, stress, hormone imbalance, adverse reactions to foods and ingestion of substances that result in some level of adverse reaction. For a missed period to be one of the very early symptoms of pregnancy, it should be confirmed by other means.
? Morning Sickness - a feeling of nausea in the mornings can be another of the very early symptoms of pregnancy. But this very early pregnancy sign needs to be experienced for several days to be considered reliable. And nausea can have other causes that are not pregnancy related.
? Tender and Enlarged Breasts - very early in pregnancy, the body begins making a series of changes in the normal hormone levels. However, the body is unprepared for these changes when they first occur. There are several changes that will happen in the body in reaction to new hormone levels. One of the most noticable changes occur in the shape of and feelings of tenderness in the breasts. The good news is that these feelings of tenderness go away fairly quickly as the body becomes accustomed to the new hormone chemistry.
? Frequent Trips to the Bathroom - having to urinate more often is one of the very early pregnancy signs. Many women experience more frequent urination even before a missed period. The reason, as with tender and enlarged breasts, is a change in hormone levels produced by implantation of the embryo. A hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced, which has the side effect of causing more frequent urination. This is another of the very early symptoms of pregnancy which can be mistaken for some other condition, or as a reaction to the consumption of various foods or other substances. Pregnancy needs to be confirmed by the results of a pregnancy test.
? Fatigue - the lack of energy as one of the very early pregnancy signs is sometimes hard to distinguish from other kinds of exhaustion. Again, health professionals attribute this fatigue to the change in hormones in the body, which usually disappears as the body adjusts to the new hormone levels.
These are the most common very early pregnancy signs that most women agree on. Some women will experience only one of these signs, and some will have several or all of these very early symptoms of pregnancy. Once the very early pregnancy signs are experienced, confirm pregnancy by using one of the better home pregnancy tests (there are major differences in the reliability of the home tests for pregnancy). And the health of the baby begins with the mothers health and habits before conception as well as during pregnancy. Becoming pregnant and enjoying a successful pregnancy is a complex but wonderful experience. Learn as much as you can about fertility, pregnancy and your health so the brand new person will have the very best beginning to life that is possible.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About The Author: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - visit the website for more information on pregnancy, ovulation and fertility, progesterone levels during pregnancy, prenatal vitamins and the reliability of early home pregnancy tests.
This article is free for republishingSource: http://www.articlealley.com/
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Premature ejaculation, Free Methods of controlling premature ejaculation
Kegel exercises
Pelvic-muscle exercises called Kegels (after Arnold Kegel, M.D., the gynecologist who developed them over 40 years ago).
PC exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. strengthen the pubbocoxygennus muscle (PC muscle), a sling of muscle that surrounds your anus and prostate gland. The PC muscle is the muscle that involuntary "pumps" when you ejaculate. Strengthening - and learning to control - this muscles is may help to control ejaculation in men.
Exercising your pelvic floor muscles for just 5 minutes, three times a day can make a big difference to your bladder control. Exercise strengthens muscles that hold the bladder and many other organs in place.The part of your body including your hip bones is the pelvic area. At the bottom of the pelvis, several layers of muscle stretch between your legs. The muscles attach to the front, back, and sides of the pelvis bone. Two pelvic muscles do most of the work. The biggest one stretches like a hammock. The other is shaped like a triangle. These muscles prevent leaking of urine and stool.
How to do Kegel exercises
For a man who wants to learn how to perform Kegels, the first step is locating the Kegel muscle. Here's how: Some time when he has the urge to urinate, he should sit on the toilet with his legs spread, start to urinate, then try to stop the flow. (The PC muscle is the one he squeezes to do this.) After restarting the flow, he can practice stopping and restarting the stream of urine. It may take several attempts to actually isolate the PC muscle--the buttocks muscles have a tendency to kick in if the legs aren't kept wide.
When a man has familiarized himself with the sensation of contracting the PC muscle, he's ready to practice holding the contractions. He should first try holding a contraction for several seconds three or four times a day. Over the next few weeks, as he continues doing Kegels, he can gradually increase the time of the contraction until he is holding it for 10 to 15 seconds. Next, he should alternate these Kegel holds with a series of short, quick contractions. Dr. Hartman recommends that men gradually work up to a daily routine of 100 quick PC contractions and five holds.
*Stop the flow of urine when you take a pee. If you have trouble doing this, you really need these exercises.
*PC clamps: squeeze and release your PC muscle. Start with a set of 20- 30, and work your way up to sets of 100-200. Do at least 300 EVERYDAY, for the rest of your life.
The Kegel Exercise builds up the PC muscles, which will help men improve:
? Ejaculation Control
? Prostate Health
? Erection Firmness
? Arousal Control
? Ejaculation Strength
? Bladder Control
Kegel exercise is a simple task that is easy to learn and doesn't take long to get through the reps each day. In fact, most men can master this exercise after just the third or fourth time. For example If you've ever stopped yourself from urinating midstream, then you've used your PC muscles. If you flex your PC muscles and hold it for 10 seconds through a series of reps then you are partaking in the Kegel exercise.
After a few months of diligent practice, a man should be ready to try using the Kegel hold during intercourse to delay ejaculation. That's why, the Kegel exercise is widespread throughout the sex industry.
The Kegel exercise has been shown to have vast improvements on the penis. But in excess, the exercise can also be very harmful. The reason is contraction of the prostate muscle triggers the prostate's sympathetic nerve to induce an ejaculation. While men tend to contract the PC muscle to assist the erection if they feel their erection is not hard enough, a long-term practice of this exercise will make the muscle develop more testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and oxytocin receptors. These hormone receptors make men and women achieve an orgasm quicker and more easily, due to the presence of more hormones trapped in the sex organs. This is just fine and dandy for women who have difficulty achieving orgasm, as some do.
Kegel exercise also claim that performing intense Kegel exercises right after ejaculation (when your PC muscles are tired) will dramatically strengthen and tone your PC muscles in record time. If you've been holding back your ejaculation using the Kegel method during sex and then you used the exercise right after, then you will in turn be doubling up on your Kegel exercise. This is how a simple technique like Kegel can go from a harmless aid to a detrimental condition in no time at all. And that brief exercise right after intercourse can bring you from a moderate level all the way to abuse.
Not to overuse the Kegel exercise. Over use of Kegel ends up being more damaging than helpful. The exercise can cause premature ejaculation for some men, as well as other sexual problems.http://prematureejaculation.bz/Kegel-exercises.phpwebmaster
This article is free for republishingSource: http://www.articlealley.com/
Monday, April 9, 2007
Summer Sun Safety - 5 Easy Tips
Alright fellow parents, Summer is almost here! Carefree days and hot weather with the sun is shining bright. Naturally the kids will be begging to play at the beach or pool all day. But as I am sure you are aware, spending prolonged amounts of time in direct sunlight, and being exposed to harmful UV rays can damage a child's delicate skin. This article will provide some easy and very effective sun safety tips to keep you and your children safe in the sun this Summer.
1) Avoid Sun Exposure between 10am-2pm - The sun is at its highest and strongest point during these hours of the day. If you must be outdoors (we understand), caking on the sunscreen and wearing sun protection clothing is extremely important in order to avoid sun burn. There are many types of sun protection clothing available to protect your child including:
•Kids Rashguards
•Long Sleeve Rashguards
•Toddler Rashguards
•Swim Shirts
2)Use a sunscreen that is water-resistant and has an SPF of at least 15. - There is no sunscreen that provides complete sun protection. The higher the SPF rating, the greater protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be applied liberally approximately 30 minutes before going into the sun. Be sure to reapply it after after swimming, toweling off, or any activity where you have heavy perspiration. Toweling off will remove all sunscreens, even the water-resistant ones.
3)Keep children under six months away from direct sunlight. - Sunblock and sunscreens can irritate a baby's skin. Also, the developing eyes of newborns are quite vulnerable to the sun. When outdoors with your newborn, make sure the child is in some sort of shade at all times.
4) Don't let cloudy skies fool you - Just because it is a cloudy day does not mean you can not get a sun burn. Harmful UV rays go right through the clouds. Regardless of whether it is a sunny or cloudy day you are still being exposed to the same amount of sun. Be sure to apply sunscreen to the areas of skin your family's rashguards, do not cover.
5) Dress the kids for maximum protection - We can't stress this enough. Wearing sun protection clothing in conjunction with sunscreen is your best defense against the sun. Make sure the rash guard shirts have an SPF rating. For example, all of The Beach Depot's (www.thebeachdepot.com) swim shirts, surf shirts, and rashguards have an SPF rating of 50+. We also strongly recommend hats and sunglasses, even for the little ones.
Justin Laubscher is co-owner of The Beach Depot, an excellent website specializing in high quality rashguards and sun protection, and My Cloth Diaper Baby rash guards
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Laubscher
1) Avoid Sun Exposure between 10am-2pm - The sun is at its highest and strongest point during these hours of the day. If you must be outdoors (we understand), caking on the sunscreen and wearing sun protection clothing is extremely important in order to avoid sun burn. There are many types of sun protection clothing available to protect your child including:
•Kids Rashguards
•Long Sleeve Rashguards
•Toddler Rashguards
•Swim Shirts
2)Use a sunscreen that is water-resistant and has an SPF of at least 15. - There is no sunscreen that provides complete sun protection. The higher the SPF rating, the greater protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be applied liberally approximately 30 minutes before going into the sun. Be sure to reapply it after after swimming, toweling off, or any activity where you have heavy perspiration. Toweling off will remove all sunscreens, even the water-resistant ones.
3)Keep children under six months away from direct sunlight. - Sunblock and sunscreens can irritate a baby's skin. Also, the developing eyes of newborns are quite vulnerable to the sun. When outdoors with your newborn, make sure the child is in some sort of shade at all times.
4) Don't let cloudy skies fool you - Just because it is a cloudy day does not mean you can not get a sun burn. Harmful UV rays go right through the clouds. Regardless of whether it is a sunny or cloudy day you are still being exposed to the same amount of sun. Be sure to apply sunscreen to the areas of skin your family's rashguards, do not cover.
5) Dress the kids for maximum protection - We can't stress this enough. Wearing sun protection clothing in conjunction with sunscreen is your best defense against the sun. Make sure the rash guard shirts have an SPF rating. For example, all of The Beach Depot's (www.thebeachdepot.com) swim shirts, surf shirts, and rashguards have an SPF rating of 50+. We also strongly recommend hats and sunglasses, even for the little ones.
Justin Laubscher is co-owner of The Beach Depot, an excellent website specializing in high quality rashguards and sun protection, and My Cloth Diaper Baby rash guards
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Laubscher
How To Choose The Right Acne Treatment Coverup
Choosing the right acne treatment coverup is not an easy process. Millions of people worldwide suffer from acne or acne related problems. As a result, thousands each year seek some sort of remedy to cover or hide their acne problems. Regardless of which acne treatment you are currently using, you probably still need something that can offer you some coverage from the current black heads, white heads, or acne scars. Finding something to treat the acne isn't enough to stop people from noticing it. You must also find something to help you hide the problems you are facing. There are two very common acne treatment coverup methods
Method 1 - Powder
Using powder as an acne treatment coverup is a very good way to hide your problem areas. It is even good at absorbing the excessive acne causing oil your skin is so prone to producing. It, however, does not offer all of the coverage another product might, and it will need to be continually reapplied throughout the course of the day.
Method 2 - Foundation
Using a liquid or cream based foundation is an excellent acne treatment coverup. It can not only offer you a base facial color, instead of the red spots you may have from pimples and acne scars, it can also offer your skin a smooth appearance that it may not naturally have. Most people will not need to reapply this coverup throughout the course of the day.
When you choose an acne treatment coverup, be sure to choose one that works well with your skin type. If you have very oily skin naturally, you do not want something that will add to the oils on your skin. If you have very sensitive skin, you need to choose a product that is hypoallergenic, so as not to irritate your skin and cause further breakouts or problems.
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of home treatment for acne, a website providing a review of the best severe acne remedies as well as unbiased reviews of popular adult acne remedies and scar removal products.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Iggo
Method 1 - Powder
Using powder as an acne treatment coverup is a very good way to hide your problem areas. It is even good at absorbing the excessive acne causing oil your skin is so prone to producing. It, however, does not offer all of the coverage another product might, and it will need to be continually reapplied throughout the course of the day.
Method 2 - Foundation
Using a liquid or cream based foundation is an excellent acne treatment coverup. It can not only offer you a base facial color, instead of the red spots you may have from pimples and acne scars, it can also offer your skin a smooth appearance that it may not naturally have. Most people will not need to reapply this coverup throughout the course of the day.
When you choose an acne treatment coverup, be sure to choose one that works well with your skin type. If you have very oily skin naturally, you do not want something that will add to the oils on your skin. If you have very sensitive skin, you need to choose a product that is hypoallergenic, so as not to irritate your skin and cause further breakouts or problems.
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of home treatment for acne, a website providing a review of the best severe acne remedies as well as unbiased reviews of popular adult acne remedies and scar removal products.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Iggo
Sunday, April 8, 2007
10 Tips For Better Sleep
We all need some help now and then in getting to sleep. Rather than just popping a pill which can be habit forming and lead to more sleep problems in the long term, try these sleeping tips. One or more of them will surely help.
Have a hot bath
Not hot enough to make you uncomfortable though. The heat of the water relaxes the muscles and also causes the core body temperature to drop afterwards which sends a sleep signal to the brain. This is great for children too. It only works for baths though, not showers!
Get more light during the day
This sounds strange, but its vital for good sleep at night. Our brains are hard wired to go to sleep when it's dark and wake when its light. Not getting enough light during the day will deprogram our biological clock. Once our circadian rhythm has been upset, our brain won't receive the sleep signal when we're ready to go to sleep.
Even if you are working long hours try to get outside into the sunshine for a while at lunchtime. If you live in a part of the world which has short days in winter, install a bright light at home and sit under it for at least 30 minutes. This should be enough to keep that biological clock ticking!
This is a good reason not to watch TV in bed. Even if the program is dull, the bright flickering light of the TV screen will be working against your natural sleep patterns!
Don't lie in bed and worry about not sleeping
This will only cause stress and make sleep even harder to achieve. If you find yourself becoming concerned about not sleeping, get up and make yourself a drink (not coffee!) Find something to read. Stay up until you feel sleepy again and only then go back to bed.
Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.
This reinforces the natural biological rhythm and helps your brain send a sleep signal. It also reinforces a habit. Habits are an important part of better sleep. Obviously you won't be able to do this every single night, there will be nights where you might go out to a show or out on the town with friends! However if you manage most nights, this will still work well.
Don't go to bed until you are tired.
Yes I know! This sound like a direct contradiction of the previous tip! The logic behind this is that is you are not sleepy you will lie in bed awake and will start worrying about not being able to go to sleep. The most important part of all this is to get up at the same time every morning no matter what time you went to bed the night before. Eventually you will feel very sleepy at your normal bedtime. Getting up in the morning when you are still tired is not easy to do but it will help in the longer term. Stick with it!
Keep a sleep diary
This, while rather tedious, will give you an excellent idea of your sleep patterns and will be a necessary record if you ever decide to visit a sleep clinic for help. Some people have done this and found their sleeping problems disappeared of their own accord! A sleep diary should note the following:
What you had for dinner
What drinks you consumed after dinner
Any naps taken during the day
What time you went to bed
How long it took you to fall asleep
If you woke during the night
What time you woke up in the morning
How you rated quality of sleep (1-10)
Any further observations
Do this every days for a few weeks and you should see a pattern emerging. This will give you invaluable information on your personal sleep habits and patterns.
Develop an evening ritual.
Do the same things at the same time each night. This programs the unconscious mind that you are preparing for sleep. Brush you teeth, put the cat out, check the locks on the doors. Do each step in the same order. It may sound simplistic but it can work really well.
Exercise more during the day.
Exercise relaxes the body and mind as well as being good for your health and helping with weight loss. Even walking just 30 minutes a day will help. If walking’s not your thing try Yoga or Qigong. Both are soothing and will relax you totally. If there are no classes near you, videos or CDs are easily available.
Practice muscle relaxation.
You can do this during the day or after going to bed. Practice tensing and relaxing each muscle group in turn, starting at the top of the head and gradually working down to the toes. This relaxes the body and also distracts you from any worrying thoughts while you are performing it. Visit the page on relaxation techniques for some easy to follow techniques.
Write down worries before going to bed.
There’s always something to worry about isn’t there? These are the things that can keep you awake when your mind won’t let go. Solution? Have a worry time before going to bed. Think of all the problems that are currently in your life and write them down. Make a decision to do something about them the following day.
If you are tempted to think about any of those things while you are trying to sleep simply tell yourself, “its ok, I’ve made a note of it and I’ll handle it tomorrow”
Sweet dreams!
Want to know how to have better sleep? Find out how. Check out http://www.insomnia-connection.com/ your resource for detailed information on sleep and curing stress. The author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac!
Have a hot bath
Not hot enough to make you uncomfortable though. The heat of the water relaxes the muscles and also causes the core body temperature to drop afterwards which sends a sleep signal to the brain. This is great for children too. It only works for baths though, not showers!
Get more light during the day
This sounds strange, but its vital for good sleep at night. Our brains are hard wired to go to sleep when it's dark and wake when its light. Not getting enough light during the day will deprogram our biological clock. Once our circadian rhythm has been upset, our brain won't receive the sleep signal when we're ready to go to sleep.
Even if you are working long hours try to get outside into the sunshine for a while at lunchtime. If you live in a part of the world which has short days in winter, install a bright light at home and sit under it for at least 30 minutes. This should be enough to keep that biological clock ticking!
This is a good reason not to watch TV in bed. Even if the program is dull, the bright flickering light of the TV screen will be working against your natural sleep patterns!
Don't lie in bed and worry about not sleeping
This will only cause stress and make sleep even harder to achieve. If you find yourself becoming concerned about not sleeping, get up and make yourself a drink (not coffee!) Find something to read. Stay up until you feel sleepy again and only then go back to bed.
Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.
This reinforces the natural biological rhythm and helps your brain send a sleep signal. It also reinforces a habit. Habits are an important part of better sleep. Obviously you won't be able to do this every single night, there will be nights where you might go out to a show or out on the town with friends! However if you manage most nights, this will still work well.
Don't go to bed until you are tired.
Yes I know! This sound like a direct contradiction of the previous tip! The logic behind this is that is you are not sleepy you will lie in bed awake and will start worrying about not being able to go to sleep. The most important part of all this is to get up at the same time every morning no matter what time you went to bed the night before. Eventually you will feel very sleepy at your normal bedtime. Getting up in the morning when you are still tired is not easy to do but it will help in the longer term. Stick with it!
Keep a sleep diary
This, while rather tedious, will give you an excellent idea of your sleep patterns and will be a necessary record if you ever decide to visit a sleep clinic for help. Some people have done this and found their sleeping problems disappeared of their own accord! A sleep diary should note the following:
What you had for dinner
What drinks you consumed after dinner
Any naps taken during the day
What time you went to bed
How long it took you to fall asleep
If you woke during the night
What time you woke up in the morning
How you rated quality of sleep (1-10)
Any further observations
Do this every days for a few weeks and you should see a pattern emerging. This will give you invaluable information on your personal sleep habits and patterns.
Develop an evening ritual.
Do the same things at the same time each night. This programs the unconscious mind that you are preparing for sleep. Brush you teeth, put the cat out, check the locks on the doors. Do each step in the same order. It may sound simplistic but it can work really well.
Exercise more during the day.
Exercise relaxes the body and mind as well as being good for your health and helping with weight loss. Even walking just 30 minutes a day will help. If walking’s not your thing try Yoga or Qigong. Both are soothing and will relax you totally. If there are no classes near you, videos or CDs are easily available.
Practice muscle relaxation.
You can do this during the day or after going to bed. Practice tensing and relaxing each muscle group in turn, starting at the top of the head and gradually working down to the toes. This relaxes the body and also distracts you from any worrying thoughts while you are performing it. Visit the page on relaxation techniques for some easy to follow techniques.
Write down worries before going to bed.
There’s always something to worry about isn’t there? These are the things that can keep you awake when your mind won’t let go. Solution? Have a worry time before going to bed. Think of all the problems that are currently in your life and write them down. Make a decision to do something about them the following day.
If you are tempted to think about any of those things while you are trying to sleep simply tell yourself, “its ok, I’ve made a note of it and I’ll handle it tomorrow”
Sweet dreams!
Want to know how to have better sleep? Find out how. Check out http://www.insomnia-connection.com/ your resource for detailed information on sleep and curing stress. The author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac!
5 Easy Tips To Make Any Exercise Program A Success by Donovan Baldwin
People seldom "fail" with their exercise program. What does happen is that they fail to achieve the success they had hoped for. Far from a failure, this is usually the result of their not really understanding what is required from them for an exercise program to be successful.
The five main reasons that most people are not successful with their exercise program are these:
1. They try to do much too soon.
2. They have inaccurate or inappropriate expectations.
3. They get bored.
4. They lose their motivation.
5. They quit too soon.
Since these are the main reasons that many exercise programs don't seem to do the job, then addressing them may make us more successful with the exercise side of our fitness and weight loss plans. So, let's take a look at each in turn and see if we can figure out what to do.
The dangers of overdoing exercise.
A factor that figures into all five issues is simply ignorance. I don't mean that as an insult, it's just that people go out and buy a piece of equipment or a Richard Simmons DVD and jump in with both feet. Even if they read the directions, those are normally written from the viewpoint of "this is what you should be doing" rather than "this is how you get to the point where you can do what you should be doing". Since most people don't really know much about exercise or how it works, and I was once one of those people, they tend to make a lot of mistakes, even though they have the best of intentions.
One of these mistakes is to try to do too much too soon.
Let's say your new barbell set says, that for maximum effect, you should be able to three sets of ten reps a certain exercise with the weight set at one-fourth of your body weight. So, you figure you weigh 160 lbs, set the bar at 40 lbs, and do ten reps. You're a little winded. It was a bit hard, but you were able to do it. You rest a minute, and try again. It's harder, but you're still able to get through it. You take another short rest and do the third set. Wow! You had to squeeze out the last couple of reps, but you did it! You feel good. You've got what it takes, and you can't wait until the next exercise day.
What has happened is that you have produced a large amount of damage to muscle tissue that your body will now have to spend the next couple of days fixing. Since you are out of shape (even if you were able to do all three sets), your body is going to have a hard time getting that work done. I can tell you that this is certainly going to impact almost every physical, emotional, and mental event or episode in your life over the next several hours or even days.
The next day, what happens? You hurt like hell! That's what happens. Even if you can convince yourself that this is a good sign, continuing on in this manner will eventually either produce a real injury, or will set you up mentally and physically to begin wanting to avoid your workouts, whether you are doing aerobics, lifting weights, running, swimming, bicycling, or working in your garden.
Most people simply do not realize how much is going on internally when they take an out-of-shape body and begin demanding that it perform as if it were already in shape.
So, just take it easy. Start off slow and gradually ease your way up to higher levels. Many marathoners were barely able to walk to the end of the block and back when they first started. Many a housewife has begun her "exercise program" with a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup in each hand. Start light and increase gradually. Don't worry if you don't see "results" at first. All sorts of good healthy things are going on inside your body.
When it comes to expectations, get real.
As trite as it is, one of the best remarks to remember is: It took you years to get this way and you're not going to change things in a couple of days. No matter how badly you try, you simply will not lose 20 lbs in 10 days. It happens, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Also, each of us is different. If your neighbor tries an exercise routine or diet and loses weight right away, you cannot assume that you will respond the same way. The one main thing you can say is that if you do your exercises regularly and gradually challenge yourself, your body will make the appropriate changes in outward appearance and inner capabilities.
Yes! Exercise CAN get boring.
Doing anything day after day can be boring whether it's exercise, sex, or eating ice cream...at least for most of us. A few people can do things over and over and never get tired of it, but most of us aren't built that way. Even if you are doing everything the right way, have good expectations, have a great program, and are seeing good results, getting up 45 minutes early for the 150th day in a row and strapping on those running shoes is going to get old eventually. Do what you can to liven it up a bit. Even if you just like to go for a walk, can't you walk somewhere else today? Why not substitute a swim, a bicycle ride, a visit to the zoo, or an hour's worth of yard work for your walk? If your normal routine is comprised of Press, Curl, Bench Press done with a barbell, why not substitute Triceps Extensions, Preacher Curls, and Chest Flys all done with a dumbell once in a while? Or, you could go to the park, do some chin ups and pushups and then take a long walk yourself. Who says you have to do exactly the same thing in the same place every day?
I listen to the news or play a motivational video while I'm on my walker. Before I know it, the walk is over and I didn't even notice it.
Your goal is to stay motivated.
How many times have you begun a program or project with a very strong motivation, only to find that after a few days, you just didn't feel like doing it any more? The other night, you saw a documentary on the potential dangers of heart disease in sedentary people and were so affected by it that you took an oath to begin exercising regularly. Perhaps you were in Sears or Dillard's shopping for some new clothes, or even worse, a bathing suit, and found that you needed the next size up...again! You went home and vowed that you would do whatever it took to get back to the size you were in high school (unrealistic expectation) and that afternoon you began your exercise program and felt so good about what you were doing. A few days later, you just couldn't find the time or the motivation to do your workout. In fact, you weren't even thinking about whatever it was that kicked you into gear in the first place.
Write it down. As you are writing it down on paper, try to relive in your heart and mind every boliling emotion...pain, fear, embarrassment, anger...whatever tripped your trigger in the first place. Make it a statement about what you feel, what you want to change, why you want to change, and how you intend to change. Put it in your purse, wallet, or pocket, and take it out and read it a few times a day. Every time you read it, try to read it out loud, and try to reconstruct in your very being the thoughts and feelings you had when you wrote it down. Paste it on your mirror, put it on the fridge, tell your best friend if you dare, but revive it in your heart several times a day, every day.
Whatever you do, don't quit.
One of the main reasons many people feel that their exercise program has failed them is because they quit too soon. Remember that thing about how it took you years to get this way and it's not going to change overnight? The visible results of a day's exercise, a week's exercise, or a month's exercise may not give you a reason to keep on getting up at the crack of dawn or paying those gym fees. However, six month's worth of steady, regular, moderate exercise will awaken most people to the wonders of life that await them in their newer, slimmer, physically fitter body. Oh, six month's won't be enough, and some people may have to wait a year or more to see the real results, but science and several million people have proven that if you are exercising regularly, challenging yourself and moving upwards, you WILL see the results you have been hoping for.
You will see results, and so will everybody else.
Donovan Baldwin is a Central Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus with a BA in Accounting, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. His interests include nature and the environment, global warming, health, fitness, yoga, and weight loss. Learn more about exercise and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.com/articledirectory/
The five main reasons that most people are not successful with their exercise program are these:
1. They try to do much too soon.
2. They have inaccurate or inappropriate expectations.
3. They get bored.
4. They lose their motivation.
5. They quit too soon.
Since these are the main reasons that many exercise programs don't seem to do the job, then addressing them may make us more successful with the exercise side of our fitness and weight loss plans. So, let's take a look at each in turn and see if we can figure out what to do.
The dangers of overdoing exercise.
A factor that figures into all five issues is simply ignorance. I don't mean that as an insult, it's just that people go out and buy a piece of equipment or a Richard Simmons DVD and jump in with both feet. Even if they read the directions, those are normally written from the viewpoint of "this is what you should be doing" rather than "this is how you get to the point where you can do what you should be doing". Since most people don't really know much about exercise or how it works, and I was once one of those people, they tend to make a lot of mistakes, even though they have the best of intentions.
One of these mistakes is to try to do too much too soon.
Let's say your new barbell set says, that for maximum effect, you should be able to three sets of ten reps a certain exercise with the weight set at one-fourth of your body weight. So, you figure you weigh 160 lbs, set the bar at 40 lbs, and do ten reps. You're a little winded. It was a bit hard, but you were able to do it. You rest a minute, and try again. It's harder, but you're still able to get through it. You take another short rest and do the third set. Wow! You had to squeeze out the last couple of reps, but you did it! You feel good. You've got what it takes, and you can't wait until the next exercise day.
What has happened is that you have produced a large amount of damage to muscle tissue that your body will now have to spend the next couple of days fixing. Since you are out of shape (even if you were able to do all three sets), your body is going to have a hard time getting that work done. I can tell you that this is certainly going to impact almost every physical, emotional, and mental event or episode in your life over the next several hours or even days.
The next day, what happens? You hurt like hell! That's what happens. Even if you can convince yourself that this is a good sign, continuing on in this manner will eventually either produce a real injury, or will set you up mentally and physically to begin wanting to avoid your workouts, whether you are doing aerobics, lifting weights, running, swimming, bicycling, or working in your garden.
Most people simply do not realize how much is going on internally when they take an out-of-shape body and begin demanding that it perform as if it were already in shape.
So, just take it easy. Start off slow and gradually ease your way up to higher levels. Many marathoners were barely able to walk to the end of the block and back when they first started. Many a housewife has begun her "exercise program" with a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup in each hand. Start light and increase gradually. Don't worry if you don't see "results" at first. All sorts of good healthy things are going on inside your body.
When it comes to expectations, get real.
As trite as it is, one of the best remarks to remember is: It took you years to get this way and you're not going to change things in a couple of days. No matter how badly you try, you simply will not lose 20 lbs in 10 days. It happens, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Also, each of us is different. If your neighbor tries an exercise routine or diet and loses weight right away, you cannot assume that you will respond the same way. The one main thing you can say is that if you do your exercises regularly and gradually challenge yourself, your body will make the appropriate changes in outward appearance and inner capabilities.
Yes! Exercise CAN get boring.
Doing anything day after day can be boring whether it's exercise, sex, or eating ice cream...at least for most of us. A few people can do things over and over and never get tired of it, but most of us aren't built that way. Even if you are doing everything the right way, have good expectations, have a great program, and are seeing good results, getting up 45 minutes early for the 150th day in a row and strapping on those running shoes is going to get old eventually. Do what you can to liven it up a bit. Even if you just like to go for a walk, can't you walk somewhere else today? Why not substitute a swim, a bicycle ride, a visit to the zoo, or an hour's worth of yard work for your walk? If your normal routine is comprised of Press, Curl, Bench Press done with a barbell, why not substitute Triceps Extensions, Preacher Curls, and Chest Flys all done with a dumbell once in a while? Or, you could go to the park, do some chin ups and pushups and then take a long walk yourself. Who says you have to do exactly the same thing in the same place every day?
I listen to the news or play a motivational video while I'm on my walker. Before I know it, the walk is over and I didn't even notice it.
Your goal is to stay motivated.
How many times have you begun a program or project with a very strong motivation, only to find that after a few days, you just didn't feel like doing it any more? The other night, you saw a documentary on the potential dangers of heart disease in sedentary people and were so affected by it that you took an oath to begin exercising regularly. Perhaps you were in Sears or Dillard's shopping for some new clothes, or even worse, a bathing suit, and found that you needed the next size up...again! You went home and vowed that you would do whatever it took to get back to the size you were in high school (unrealistic expectation) and that afternoon you began your exercise program and felt so good about what you were doing. A few days later, you just couldn't find the time or the motivation to do your workout. In fact, you weren't even thinking about whatever it was that kicked you into gear in the first place.
Write it down. As you are writing it down on paper, try to relive in your heart and mind every boliling emotion...pain, fear, embarrassment, anger...whatever tripped your trigger in the first place. Make it a statement about what you feel, what you want to change, why you want to change, and how you intend to change. Put it in your purse, wallet, or pocket, and take it out and read it a few times a day. Every time you read it, try to read it out loud, and try to reconstruct in your very being the thoughts and feelings you had when you wrote it down. Paste it on your mirror, put it on the fridge, tell your best friend if you dare, but revive it in your heart several times a day, every day.
Whatever you do, don't quit.
One of the main reasons many people feel that their exercise program has failed them is because they quit too soon. Remember that thing about how it took you years to get this way and it's not going to change overnight? The visible results of a day's exercise, a week's exercise, or a month's exercise may not give you a reason to keep on getting up at the crack of dawn or paying those gym fees. However, six month's worth of steady, regular, moderate exercise will awaken most people to the wonders of life that await them in their newer, slimmer, physically fitter body. Oh, six month's won't be enough, and some people may have to wait a year or more to see the real results, but science and several million people have proven that if you are exercising regularly, challenging yourself and moving upwards, you WILL see the results you have been hoping for.
You will see results, and so will everybody else.
Donovan Baldwin is a Central Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus with a BA in Accounting, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. His interests include nature and the environment, global warming, health, fitness, yoga, and weight loss. Learn more about exercise and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.com/articledirectory/
Yoga - Benefits for body and mind
Yoga is, basically, a series of ancient practices that started in India. Since its beginnings and regardless of what branch of yoga is involved, the final purpose of yoga refers to achieving freedom from worldly pain as well as reaching an ongoing cycle of life and death. However, it has obviously shifted its sense of mainly being a spiritual practice through its widespread popularity and with the help of a yogi anybody has access to the health benefits and relaxation that yoga offers.
This is probably one of the best options nowadays in terms of relaxation for people with a stressful schedule. Yoga does, however, require that you perceive it seriously and rigorously. First of all, there’s more to it than people in spandex you see on TV in complicated, twisted positions. It’s a demanding process that’s linked to more than a single aspect of one’s lifestyle. It requires a lot of discipline and commitment. However, if you decide to take the yogi’s advice and realize the implications of yoga as to a safe diet, mental relaxation and so on and so forth, you’ll surely make the best of the health benefits it has to offer. In any case, remember to undertake plenty of documentation and explore all possible means of informing yourself before jumping to any conclusions and deciding in favor of one yoga style or another.
However, nothing is more appreciated like the actual health benefits which yoga can bring a person. The key element here is stress. A lot of the common diseases are somehow related to nervous tension and practicing yoga deals with the problem from its very core. Needless to say, on the long term, it also helps with illnesses that are not necessarily related to it, such as spine issues. Still, it’s advisable that you make use of yoga as an alternative treatment, instead of relying on it exclusively.
Health benefits stretch, though, further than the everyday use of the term. It’s also a matter of mental health and within mere weeks of rigorous yoga you’ll be able to see results regarding your life quality you never thought of.
If your interest in yoga has already been aroused, you should also consider Pilates. It’s more of an alternative form of yoga based on nearly the same principles, but the main difference is that it’s much newer. Pilates was developed by a German athlete somewhere around 80 years ago, while yoga is a thousand year old Indian practice with connections in religion and spirituality. They work differently for each individual, so do some research and ask for the advice of an expert.
There are several yoga practices destined to result in health benefits for a more specific range of individuals. For example, during pregnancy, it can ease pain in different parts of the body and even contribute to efficient nourishing of the fetus, as well as deal with anxiety and accomplish a great improvement in your general mood. It can also be an important step in healing mild depressions.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Few things are as rewarding and relaxing as yoga. With numerous health benefits, it’s accessible to nearly anyone willing to dedicate themselves to this ancient Indian practice. General improvements in body flexibility, concentration and performance won’t fail to appear.
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