Learn More About The Ringworm

Learn More About The Ringworm
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection caused by a
mold-like fungus, known as Dermatophyte. This kind of skin
infection generally occurs due to unhygienic environment or
surroundings. That is why, mainly young children get more
affected with this skin infection because of the lack of
proper self hygiene. Also, babies staying in nurseries,
care homes and schools are more exposed to the ringworm
skin fungal infection. Ringworm infection can also be
transmitted to a person while cleaning dogs or cats or
while petting. In many cases, humans can get the disease
from other kinds of animals such as goats, horses and cows.
Ringworm infection can take place in the form of red
patches on any part of the skin, and if not treated on
time, the infection rapidly expands to non-infected area
too in ring-like shape. A person can also catch the
ringworm infection easily if he or she shares personal
accessories like clothes, combs, beddings, brushes and
towels with a person who is already affected with the
infection. Mainly there are two species of fungus that are
the major cause of ringworm infection, including
Trichophyton and Microsporum.

These two species causing fungal infection infect different
parts of the body. This kind of fungal infection in legs,
arms and trunks is scientifically known as Tinea Corporis,
if it is in scalp it is scientifically known as Tinea
Capitis and if the infection is in groin area it is known
as Tinea Cruris. The fugal infection in feet is known
medically known as Tinea Pedis, in toenails and fingernails
it is called Tinea Unguium and in palm and hand it is known
as Tinea Mannum. These are the major parts of the body that
get affected by the ringworm infection. Ringworm infection
on the scalp usually begins with the emergence of tiny
pimples that spread rapidly leaving crusty patches of
temporary baldness. The infected scalp makes the roots of
the hair weak eventually leading to break off. Sometimes,
yellowish crusty may also take place during the occurrence
of ringworms. The ringworm on the nails might infect one or
more nails of a person's feet or hands. In this situation,
the nails might turn out to be pale, thick and weak.
However, the probability of ringworm on nail is less found
in puberty but more found in children.

Ringworm infection on feet usually happens to people like
athletes who may not have time to take care of personal
hygiene. The symptom will start from rashes between toes
that expand rapidly if the proper treatment is not taken in
early stages. Similar to this, ringworm rashes occur in the
jock-related area too. The type of ringworm infection that
occurs on feet and jock might not have appearance like ring
but will be scaly and red. If we talk about the treatment
of ringworm infection, one can consult a dermatologist who
identifies the type of ringworm infection and accordingly
can prescribe anti-fungal drugs to cure the disease. The
common anti-fungal drugs prescribed by doctors include
Clotrimazole and Miconazole. However, in some case, a
dermatologist has to scratch off a small part of the
infected flakes and diagnose it under the microscope to
find the fungus.

----------------------------------------------------
More useful information about ringworm symptoms and
treatments can be found at:
http://www.ringwormonline.org
http://www.myringworm.com

Answers to the 6 Most Common Workout Excuses

Answers to the 6 Most Common Workout Excuses
The only thing I think people should regularly lose in life
is body fat.

You want to lose fat, right? You want to win that battle,
right? Those that WANT to win never settle and nothing
less will do.

I get tons of emails from readers each week and you know
what I hear the most? EXCUSES about why they can't do this
and haven't succeeded at that.

Hey, I know there are people out there who have serious
problems. But they are not the people I am referring to.
I'm talking about the "I cant's" or "I don'ts" or "I will
never be able to's".

I know you don't normally say these things because you are
disciplined and you know what it takes to make a difference
in your life. But unfortunately, these excuses hold some
people back from getting healthier.

We all know these people. Sometimes even we can have a bad
day and slip into a tough frame of mind. Take a look at
some of the excuses I hear and learn the answers.

Maybe reading them will stick with you. If you ever have a
bad day, it will be easier to get out of that bad space.
If you think you might give into an urge to blow off a
workout you will think twice. If you are sitting at a
friendly or business luncheon and hear one of these, you
might be able to steer the naysayer in a different
direction. It definitely helps to be armed with good
answers.

Excuse #1: "I Don't have the Time To Eat Right"

Everyone's busy these days. Some people make eating right
a priority. Others don't and complain about not having
enough time to cook healthy meals or prepare healthy snacks.

Do you want it or don't you?

It takes discipline, organization, and scheduling to
prepare your meals and snacks the day before. You need to
cook in larger quantities, for a whole week and then
refrigerate or freeze the extra to eat at later meals
throughout the week. By doing this, you end up spending
less time cooking and more time enjoying delicious healthy
foods. You will actually find more time in your day than
you ever thought. To help you stave hunger in between
meals, make sure to carry healthy snacks with you. Keep
some at the office. Keep some in your car ... Make it easy
on yourself so you're not stuck in a hunger panic at the
nearest fast food restaurant.

Excuse #2: "I Hate Exercise/Diets/Water, etc."

Really? Would you rather be 40 pounds overweight, have no
energy, and be a walking zombie? Decide what you hate MORE
and then make sure you can live with the answer.

Excuse #3: "I Have No Time to Exercise"

Are you kidding? If you can't find 15-30 minutes two to
three times a week... your schedule stinks. That's less
than 1 hour per week out of 168 hours! If you are
overweight, are you even a little bit serious about making
positive changes? If your fitness and poor eating habits
become a serious issue, I won't be the one telling you that
there needs to be a change. A surgeon will.

Excuse #4: "Healthy Food Is Expensive"

Yes, this one might have a little merit. However, you must
realize where your grocery money goes... CRAP. Eat less
from a box or a can and more from what comes out of the
ground.

If you start eating more nutrient-rich foods, you will need
to eat less...which means you will buy less!

Excuse #5: "I Eat Out All The Time"

You can eat out and find healthy substitutes. It's all
about choices. But don't let eating out become an every
day event either or you'll look like you eat out every day.

Just look around a restaurant. Do you want to look like
you just ate the "Grand Slam" breakfast, at the "All You
Can Eat" buffet or like, "Boy, I need some Pepto-Bismol??"

MY FAVORITE Excuse: "I've Tried Everything...Nothing Works
For Me"

Have you ever stuck to a program for 1 solid year? How
about 6 months? 12 weeks?

If you did, you would definitely see results and feel
better. Often times, people try something for a few weeks,
get bored and don't give the program a fighting chance to
see if it really could work for them.

So are excuses like these holding YOU or someone you love
back? If so, ask yourself what you are going to do about
them right now? What kind of person are you? If you could
conquer anything, who would you want to be?

You know the answer. Now do something about it.

----------------------------------------------------
For over 17 years Bobby Kelly has taken his passion for
coaching to a level not reached by many in the fitness
profession. Bobby has been interviewed and featured as an
expert adviser on CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC, and CBS as well
as local affiliate stations in numerous markets. Bobby
knows the success of hard work and determination. He'll get
you where you want to be. Visit Bobby today at
http://www.resultsonly.com or email support@resultsonly.com

The Most Important Word In Your Fat Loss Vocabulary Is...

The Most Important Word In Your Fat Loss Vocabulary Is...
...CONSISTENCY!

Consistency is by far the most important word in your
fitness vocabulary. Not diet. Not cardio. Not strength
training, or resistance training, or weight training. Not
even your friendly personal trainer's name should be top on
the list (he should be a close second, though).
Consistency should always be at the top of your list of
importance. It doesn't matter what your goals are, whether
they be to lose fat, more flexibility or to just stay
healthy.

It also doesn't matter what program you adhere to. I know
I just worked my butt off creating a fat loss program
(which I think is fantastic, by the way, and you can check
out at www.fatlosstogo.com ) but to be totally honest, it
doesn't really matter what program you do to as long as you
stick to it.

Do you want to go to Yoga or Pilates class in order to get
fit or lose some fat? That's great, but you have to do it
and you have to do it consistently.

Or maybe you're a someone who reads fitness magazines and
wants to give one of their workouts a try. That's great,
too. Just do it and follow the program until it's done.

If you hate exercise and want to start eating better in
order to lose that extra flab, that's fantastic. Just
stick to your healthy eating habits most of the time and
you're good to go.

However, the one thing that is not OK for anyone to do is
follow a fad diet. Those may work for the short-term, but
don't work in the long run because they don't teach you how
to eat properly once the diet is supposed to be done. They
don't teach you healthy habits and most don't give any
attention to exercise and if they do, their plan is
worthless. (However, if your only plan is to eat better
and not exercise, I think you're severely limiting your
results because exercise is critical. It makes your
results come much, much quicker and won't turn you into a
"skinny fat person".)

You can't decide you're going to exercise and then only
follow your new plan once or twice per week for a few
weeks, and then quit because you're not seeing results or
because you're too busy. Nor can you decide you want to
eat better, only to succumb to temptation at the first
sight of a Snickers bar and then give up saying that it's
just too hard.

We live in a society that wants everything NOW. We want
everything in a pill or in a drive-thru or delivered.

Well, fitness and fat loss just don't work that way. You
have to work and you have to be consistent with whatever
you have decided to do.

If you want to exercise more to lose some fat, then you
have to do it 3-4 days per week ...consistently. You can't
just walk into a gym, or your basement, and pick things up
willy-nilly and start your own program, either. You have
to have a plan...you need some guidance. (I'll get into
this in a future newsletter)

If you want to eat healthier and lose your fat that way,
that's great but you have to do it right and you have to
stick to your new habits. It may be difficult, but that's
just the way it is.

Now, that's not to say that things aren't going to pop up
that make it very difficult to follow your new goals.
Things always pop up and there are always reasons to
stumble and miss a workout or two and eat poorly. That's
no excuse, however. That's just life.

You just have to pick yourself up and move on and keep on
with what you set out to achieve.

If you want to succeed, you must be consistent.

Commit to yourself that you are going to be consistent with
your fat loss goals and make this year different than in
year's past.

----------------------------------------------------
Learn how to lose body fat quicker than you ever thought
imagineable by going to http://www.fatlosstogo.com/
Ed Scow's fast, time efficient fat loss workouts have
helped busy men and women lose fat faster than they ever
could have imagined.
Ed's workouts can be done in the comfort of your own home
with limited equipment in as little as 15-20 minutes! To
learn more go to http://www.fatlosstogo.com/

How Recover from Sprains and Strains

How Recover from Sprains and Strains
When you over train it physically, you may experience
sudden pain and swelling around a muscle or a joint. This
may occur when you stretch too far, change direction or
slow down abruptly, land awkwardly, or collide with another
person during a sporting event. The injury you have may be
a sprain or a strain. Here's the distinction:

A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments
are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to
another. They help to stabilize joints, preventing
excessive movement. Sprains are frequently caused by rapid
changes in direction or by a collision. Common locations
for sprains are your ankles, wrists and knees. A Strain is
a stretching or tearing of muscle. This type of injury
often occurs when muscles suddenly and powerfully contract
— or when a muscle stretches unusually far. This is
called an acute strain. But overuse of certain muscles over
time can lead to a chronic strain. People commonly call
muscle strains "pulled" muscles. Hamstring and back
injuries are among the most common strains. Treatment
depends on the severity of the injury. Many times,
self-care measures and over-the-counter pain medications
are all that you'll need.

Signs and symptoms

Sprains and strains vary in severity. Signs and symptoms
depend on the severity of the injury.Sprains can cause
rapid swelling. Generally, the greater the pain and
swelling, the more severe the injury.

Mild ligament stretches excessively or tears slightly. The
area is somewhat painful, especially with movement. It's
tender. There's not a lot of swelling. You can put weight
on the joint.

Moderate is when fibers in your ligament tear, but they
don't rupture completely. The joint is tender, painful and
difficult to move. The area is swollen and may be
discolored from bleeding in the area. You may feel unsteady
when you try to bear weight on your leg.

Severe one or more ligaments tear completely. The area is
painful. You can't move your joint normally or put weight
on it. If you try to walk, your leg feels as if it will
give way. The joint becomes very swollen and also can be
discolored. The injury may be difficult to distinguish from
a fracture or dislocation, which requires medical care. You
may need a brace to stabilize the joint or surgical repair
in certain ligament injuries. Strains

Signs and symptoms of a strain:

Mild strain pain and stiffness that occur with movement and
may last a few days.

Moderate strain partial muscle tears result in more
extensive pain, swelling and bruising. The pain may last
one to three weeks. Severe Strain Muscle is torn apart or
ruptured. You may have significant bleeding, swelling and
bruising around the muscle. Your muscle may not function at
all, and you may need surgical repair if the muscle has
torn away completely from the bone.

Causes: sprains and strains occur commonly, and most result
in minor injuries.A muscle becomes strained or pulled
— or may even tear — when it stretches
unusually far or abruptly. This type of injury — an
acute strain — often occurs when muscles suddenly and
powerfully contract. A muscle strain may occur when you
slip on ice, run, jump, throw, lift a heavy object or lift
in an awkward position. A chronic strain results from
prolonged, repetitive movement of a muscle.

A sprain occurs when you overextend or tear a ligament
while severely stressing a joint. You may sprain your knee
or ankle when walking or exercising on an uneven surface. A
sprain also may occur when you land awkwardly, either at
the end of a jump or while pivoting during an athletic
activity.

Risk factors factors contributing to sprains and strains
include:Poor conditioning. Lack of conditioning can leave
your muscles weak and more likely to sustain injury. Poor
technique. The way you land from a jump — for
example, when skiing or practicing martial arts — may
affect your risk of injury to a ligament in your knee
called the anterior ligament (ACL). Landing with an inward
rotation at the knee ("knock-kneed" position) can
predispose you to an ACL sprain. Fatigue. Tired muscles are
less likely to provide good support for your joints. When
you're tired, you're also more likely to succumb to forces
that could stress a joint or overextend a muscle. Improper
stretching and warm-up. Properly warming up and stretching
before vigorous physical activity loosens your muscles and
increases joint range of motion, making the muscles less
tight and less prone to trauma and tears.

When to seek medical advice:

Popping sound

You may hear a popping sound when your joint is injured;
you may have considerable swelling about the joint and be
unable to use it. On the way to the doctor, apply an ice
pack.

Inability to bear weight

You're unable to bear weight on an injured joint because of
a feeling of instability or pain.

Severe sprain

Inadequate or delayed treatment may cause long-term joint
damage or chronic pain. For a strain Seek medical help
immediately if the area quickly becomes swollen and is
intensely painful or if you suspect a ruptured muscle or
broken bone. Also call your doctor if the pain, swelling
and stiffness of less-severe strains don't improve in two
to three days

Screening and diagnosis

With both sprains and strains, the discomfort in the area
is the key to diagnosis. Examination may reveal swelling,
bleeding in the joint or muscle, and tenderness. Your
doctor may order an X-ray to rule out a fracture or other
bone injury as the source of the problem.

Treatment

Treating a sprain or strain depends on the joint involved
and the severity of the injury. For mild sprains and
strains, your doctor likely will recommend basic self-care
measures and an over-the-counter pain reliever such as
ibuprofen (Advil, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol,
others).

In cases of a mild or moderate sprain or strain, apply ice
to the area as soon as possible to minimize swelling. In
cases of severe sprain or strain, your doctor may
immobilize the area with a brace or splint. In some cases,
such as in the case of a torn ligament or ruptured muscle,
surgery may be considered.

Prevention

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your
sport, fitness or work activity, as part of an overall
physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your
risk of sprains and strains. Try to be in shape to play
your sport; don't play your sport to get in shape. If you
have a physically demanding occupation, regular
conditioning can help prevent injuries.

If you're prone to sprains, taping, bracing or wrapping
knees, ankles, wrists or elbows can help while you're
recovering from injury and when you're first getting back
into your regular activities. It's best for many people to
regard taping, bracing and wrapping as short-term
protective measures. You can protect your joints in the
long term by working to strengthen and condition the
muscles around the joint that has been injured. The best
brace you can give yourself is your own "muscle brace." Ask
your doctor about appropriate conditioning and stability
exercises. Also, use footwear that offers support and
protection.

Self-care

For immediate self-care of a sprain or strain, try the
P.R.I.C.E. approach — protection, rest, ice,
compression, elevation. In most cases beyond a minor strain
or sprain, you'll want your doctor and physical therapist
to help you with this process:

Protection:

Immobilize the area to protect it from further injury. Use
an elastic wrap, splint or sling to immobilize the area. If
your injury is severe, your doctor or therapist may place a
cast or brace around the affected area to protect it and
instruct you on how to use a cane or crutches to help you
get around, if necessary.

Rest

Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
But don't avoid all physical activity. Instead, give
yourself relative rest. For example, with an ankle sprain
you can usually still exercise other muscles to prevent
deconditioning. For example, you could use an exercise
bicycle, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while
resting the injured ankle on a footrest peg. That way you
still exercise three limbs and keep up your cardiovascular
conditioning.

Ice

Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area
immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath for 15 to 20
minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while
you're awake for the first 48 to 72 hours. Cold reduces
pain, swelling and inflammation in injured muscles, joints
and connective tissues. It also may slow bleeding if a tear
has occurred. If the area turns white, stop treatment
immediately. This could indicate frostbite. If you have
vascular disease, diabetes or decreased sensation, talk
with your doctor before applying ice. Compression.

----------------------------------------------------
Supplementstogo is a leader in discount nutrition
supplements with the largest selection of diet pills,
creatine products, protein powders, and bodybuilding
supplements. Find more information on the products you are
searching for at http://www.supplementstogo.com . Want more
expert advice visit
http://www.mynutritionworld.com/index.php .

Anti-Aging Skin Care Advice

Anti-Aging Skin Care Advice
Most people strive to look fit and healthy, which equates
to trying to look younger. It's a well-known fact that the
best anti-aging procedure is the daily application of a
good (15 or above SPF) sun block for both UVA and UVB rays.
The free radicals found in the rays of the sun cause
wrinkling and sagging of the skin by damaging the collagen
and elastin.

Scowling, frowning and wrinkling the delicate skin around
the eyes should also be avoided to minimize the formation
of deep wrinkles and fine lines.

A rich eye cream is useful for warding off some wrinkling.
However, for someone who has neglected sun block in the
past or who already has the beginning of lines and
wrinkles, it's possible to utilize something a little more
in-depth than anti-aging moisturizing creams.

There are a plethora of anti-aging treatments available by
a professional. Many of the procedures performed in the
U.S. are noninvasive, also called "lunchtime procedures",
and following is a brief description of the most often used:

- Microdermabrasion is popular among the 20-somethings
because it will smooth the surface of the skin, an issue
especially if acne scars are present. Skin tone is also
improved. A fine spray of crystals are blasted onto the
skin, removing the topmost cells. Desired results may be
achieved in fewer than a dozen treatments, spaced
approximately 2 weeks apart.

- Botox Injections are another popular anti-aging
procedure. The botox prevents a person from moving facial
muscles where it has been injected, thus preventing further
wrinkle formation. The effect may last as long as six
months.

- Liposuction is a fairly expensive procedure with a
down-time of at least a week. It is used to contour the
body by removing excess fat cells from just below the skin.

- Fillers are used to plump up skin for 4-12 months.
Youthful skin is firmer and fuller than aging skin because
it has plenty of collagen, which may have been lost due to
the passing of time and sun damage. Depending on the area
being treated the doctor will choose human collagen, bovine
collagen or any of several other popular fillers.

- Lasers are an anti-aging tool that can correct baggy
eyes, brown spots and leg veins. Some lasers can actually
tighten the skin. Several sessions will usually be
necessary.

- Blepharoplasty is a way to dramatically smooth out both
the upper and lower eyelids using a minimally invasive
technique.

- Chemical peels are useful to all ages because the formula
is customized to each patient. Gentle glycolic acid peels
can be used with great success by young people, but for
someone with deep wrinkles, many brown spots, or uneven
skin patches, slightly harsher peels can be used. A doctor
will be the best source of advice in this matter.

With careful treatment (anti-aging skin moisturizing cream,
rich eye cream) and protection (sunscreen, sun glasses to
cut down on squinting) of the skin in early years, a
complete face lift can be avoided and one of the previously
described treatments may produce the effect of a healthy,
glowing complexion in later years.

----------------------------------------------------
John Russell of IH Distribution, LLC brings you health,
anti-aging and skin care products from around the world.
Find fabulous skin care tips and great articles on a wide
range of topics for women at
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com

Do Artificial Sweeteners in Diet Soda Cause Obesity?

Do Artificial Sweeteners in Diet Soda Cause Obesity?
Ever watch a very large person order a Big Mac, large
fries, and top it off with a Diet Coke?

Ever notice that you rarely see thin people drinking diet
sodas?

I have. And it made me wonder if could there be a link
between diet beverages or artificial sweeteners and obesity.

Research suggests that there is, indeed, a link.

First, our current obesity epidemic has coincided perfectly
with the introduction of large amounts of artificial
sweeteners into our food supply. While we don't know that
one has caused the other, it is suspicious.

For example, the number of Americans who consume products
that contain sugar-free sweeteners grew from 70 million in
1987 to 160 million in 2000.

At the same time, the incidence of obesity in the United
States has doubled from 15 percent to 30 percent across all
age groups, ethnic groups, and social strata. And the
number of overweight Americans has increased from about 30
percent to over 65 percent of the population. The fastest
growing obese population is children.

Next, we know that just the thought or smell of food
triggers a whole set of hormonal and physiologic responses
that prepare the body for food.

Just as in Pavlov's dog experiment, where he trained dogs
to salivate in anticipation of food simply by ringing a
bell, diet sodas and artificial sweeteners act as the bell
for your physiology.

Your brain prepares for food even before your fork or cup
crosses your lips.

This allows you to anticipate and prepare for the arrival
of nutrients in your intestinal tract, improves the
efficiency of how your nutrients are absorbed, and
minimizes the degree to which food will disturb your
natural hormonal balance and create weight gain.

Any sweet taste will signal your body that calories are on
the way and trigger a whole set of hormonal and metabolic
responses to get ready for those calories.

When you trick your body and feed it non-nutritive or
non-caloric sweeteners, like aspartame, acesulfame,
saccharin, sucralose, or even natural sweeteners like
stevia, it gets confused.

And research supports this.

An exciting new study in the Journal of Behavioral
Neuroscience has shown conclusively that using artificial
sweeteners not only does not prevent weight gain, but
induces a whole set of physiologic and hormonal responses
that actually make you gain weight.

The researchers proved this by giving two different groups
of rats some yogurt. One batch of yogurt was sweetened
with sugar and the other was sweetened with saccharin.

They found that three major things happened over a very
short period of time in the rats that were fed artificially
sweetened yogurt.

First, the researchers found that the total food eaten over
14 days dramatically increased in the artificial sweetener
group -- meaning that the artificial sweetener stimulated
their appetite and made them eat more.

Second, these rats gained a lot more weight and their body
fat increased significantly.

And third (and this is very troubling) was the change in
core body temperature of the rats fed the artificial
sweeteners. Their core body temperature decreased, meaning
their metabolism slowed down.

So not only did the rats eat more, gain more weight, and
have more body fat, but they actually lowered their core
body temperature and slowed their metabolism.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: All calories are
not created equal.

The study's most astounding finding was that even though
the rats that ate the saccharin-sweetened yogurt consumed
fewer calories overall than the rats that ate the
sugar-sweetened yogurt, they gained more weight and body
fat.

This helps disprove the conventional view that people will
consume fewer calories by drinking artificially sweetened
drinks or eating artificially sweetened foods.

Despite their name, these are not "diet" drinks. They are
actually "weight gain" drinks!

My bottom line?

Avoid artificial sweeteners, including aspartame,
acesulfame, sucralose, sugar alcohols such as malitol and
xylitol (pretty much anything that ends in "ol"), as well
as natural artificial sweeteners like stevia.

Stop confusing your body. If you have a desire for
something sweet, have a little sugar, but stay away from
"fake" foods.

Eating a whole-foods diet that has a low glycemic load and
is rich in phytonutrients and indulging in a few real sweet
treats once in a while is a better alternative than
tricking your body with artificial sweeteners -- which
leads to wide scale metabolic rebellion and obesity.

So, put that teaspoon of sugar in your tea and enjoy!

REFERENCES:

Swithers SE, Davidson TL. A role for sweet taste: Calorie
predictive relations in energy regulation by rats. Behav
Neurosci. 2008 Feb;122(1):161-73.

----------------------------------------------------
Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine,
practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak
preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available.
See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Artificial
Sweeteners: http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/

Weight Loss: Changing Bad Habits

Weight Loss: Changing Bad Habits
Being overweight is the result of either overeating or
eating the wrong types of foods, or both. One of the
secrets to successful weight loss is to target your bad
habits and to change them.

It is almost impossible to eliminate a bad habit. Trying
to remove a bad habit, such as eating the wrong foods, is a
flawed idea. The one method that works is to replace the
bad habit with a good habit.

People are habitual creatures. Most of the patterns in our
lives are the results of the habits that we aquire. When
you learn to replace a bad habit with a good habit, being
overweight will be a thing of the past.

The difficulty will bad habits is that they start with
small changes. By the time that they take over we seldom
even notice them. Once they become ingrained they are
rather difficult to change.

Generally speaking, those who are overweight have acquired
many habits that combine to create the situation that they
are in now-fat.

Having food involved makes matters even worse. The highly
processed foods that we consume are low in nutritional
value, have a lot of additives or consist of combinations
not suited to us (too much protein, fats or enriched with
vitamins). In reality these types of food cause hunger and
the ever increasing quantities in order for us to feel
satisfied.

Let me ask you this. Do you find yourself eating because
of your emotions or state of mind? Of course you do. It
is very common to eat when you are stressed or depressed.
Emotional states definitely trigger unnecessary eating or
indulging in comfort food.

It is these emotional eating habits that are the most
difficult to break. When in this state of mind we are not
fully conscious of what we are doing. Even when we make an
attempt at being completely aware, we manage to indulge and
punish ourselves by feeling guilty at the same time.

These patterns are obvious when you think about them.
Unfortunately, this is not the solution. If will, in fact,
lead to more problems that fuels the cycle of indulging and
gaining weight.

The first step is to connect your weight issues to your bad
habits. If you take the steps to replace the negative
habits with positive habits, well, your weight problems
will be a thing of the past.

Step back and determine what your bad habits are. Examine
the times when you tend to overeat.

Many experts tell you to elimate these emotional triggers.
In my opinion, this is unrealistic. What are you going to
do? Get rid of your (fill in the blank) husband, children,
job, inlaws or financial problems. I don't think so.

Here are the things that you have control over:

You have control over what you put in your mouth.

You have control over how and when you eat.

You have control over how much exercise you have.

In simple terms you have control over yourself, not
external circumstances.

First, figure out what is healthy to eat. The best foods
are natural. These include whole grains, beans, vegetables
and fruit.

To online and find some recipes and tasty ways to prepare
these foods. Yeah, I know. This is a big sacrifice. So
what? When you eat natural whole foods you will lose
weight effortlessly. Your health will improve and you'll
feel better. You'll have more energy and your mind will
become clear and sharp. Big sacrifice, huh?

At the same time, find some physical activity that you can
do and will enjoy on a daily basis. You can walk, jog,
run, bicycle, swim, play tennis or whatever it is that you
enjoy. Change it up. Make your daily exercise program fun
and something that you look forward to.

This is not hard stuff to do nor is it rocket science. The
important element is to make up your mind. Once you do
that everything else will fall into place.

----------------------------------------------------
Kathryn Soloff wrote a special report to help you lose
weight. Get "7 Steps To Lose Weight" here FREE=>
http://www.7waystoloseweight.com/7Steps.html
Learn more about Natural Herbal Weight Loss here=>
http://www.natural-remedy-dot-com.com/

The Importance of Stretching

The Importance of Stretching
Through bad lifestyles, repetitive sports or general lack
of movement we have created chronic cases of bad posture
brought about by muscle imbalances. By imbalances we mean,
some of the muscles have become weak and lazy and are
allowing other muscles to do the extra work as we move
around- these become short and tight.

When there are muscle imbalances around joints such as the
spine, shoulder or knee, the tight muscles pull the joint
out of position as the weak ones are no longer able to
counterbalance the pull. The result? Pain and inflammation.

How do most people deal with their pain and inflammation?
They take anti-inflammatory tablets! This will not get that
stressed shoulder back into position, it may numb the pain
for a short while but you can guarantee it will be back. So
instead of taking a pill to numb the pain we should correct
this imbalance ourselves and bring the joints back to their
optimal alignment.

This can be done with a simple stretch and strengthening
programme designed to attack those short/tight and
long/weak muscles.

As you take yourself through the stretch checklist pay
particular attention to the muscles being stretched. How
tight do they feel?

a) Is it almost painful to move into the stretch? If the
answer is yes, you have found a short tight muscle that has
been working too hard. For each one that feels this way,
give it a tick and add to your stretch list. This may need
prolonged stretching over a number of weeks, hold the
stretch at the point you feel discomfort- not pain! Try
holding for up to 30 seconds x 2-3. Over time this should
start to become easier.

b) Can you feel tightness but its not too painful? Again if
the answer is yes add this to your list. However after a
few days stretching this may ease off with any tightness
disappearing. At this point, cross this stretch off your
list.

c) Are you feeling no stretch at all in that particular
muscle? If this is the case, cross this off your list, this
muscle is either at a normal length or has become long and
weak. In which case strengthening is necessary not
stretching!

Create your stretch programme by going through the list
right now! You will be halfway to creating a better posture
and better you! Just stretching alone may alleviate those
painful symptoms. Try this for the next few weeks and you
will be ready to take it to the strengthening phase. Thus
ensuring you remain in this position of ideal alignment
forever!

----------------------------------------------------
David Osgathorp Owner, All About You Performance &
Wellbeing. Unit 3 Broadbent Close, Highgate, London, N6
5JW. Tel: 020 8348 9706, Mob: 07779 729122. If you would
like more information then pleas contact us via the
website: http://aayou.co.uk/default.aspx

Anti Aging Skin Care: Products and Practices

Anti Aging Skin Care: Products and Practices
When a person reaches the age of early 30s, his or her skin
naturally tends to age, the situation which is identified
by fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin and large pores on the
face. An anti aging skin care product helps in slowing
down, stopping the development of and even reversing the
aging procedure in human beings. Whether it is an
anti-oxidant, a hormone or any other agent, or a facial
cream, face emulsion, toner or a cleansing gel, these
products are widely used by people all around the world.

Products for men are specifically designed for the male
thick and touch skin in comparison to women's delicate and
soft skin. The first step to stop the aging process is to
quit smoking, avoid alcohol, take a balanced diet and drink
a lot of water. Taking regular exercise will also be
helpful in reducing stress, which is the main source of
hindrance in the process of normal skin care. Essential
nutrients and vitamins such as A, C, D and E are also
helpful in making the skin look radiant and youthful.

The skin of every person is different and each of the anti
aging skin care methods work differently. One of the best
ways to protect the skin from aging is to select the best
skin care product, depending upon the type of the skin on
which it is to be used. Preventing, reversing and slowing
down the aging effects help individuals to live a healthy,
long and happy life.

There are various methods of anti aging skin care including
skin care products, herbal therapies, hormone replacements,
vitamin supplements and laser surgeries. People are ready
to spend huge amounts of money on these methods, but the
sure shot method is yet to be recognised.

A good anti aging skin care product will firm up the
loosened skin on the neck, face and throat, thus smoothens
the face without the use of any medical or surgical
treatment. Anti-aging facial is also helpful in getting a
youthful skin. It is a combination of stroking, contouring
and pressurizing the pressure points of the face, thus
relaxing, toning and uplifting the muscles and the skin.

As people grow old, the muscles of the face become weak and
the skin tends to hang down. The major problem areas where
the first signs of aging are noticed are around the neck,
eyes, jawline and the space between mouth and the nose. The
various anti aging methods available in the market are
effective in reversing the aging procedure and making the
skin healthy, young and vibrant once again without the need
of any cosmetic surgical procedure.

Just like going to a gym and exercising tones the muscles,
similarly there are facial exercises that tone the skin and
make the skin firm. Folding, bagging and sagging are
usually caused because of lack of skin toning. Therefore,
these exercises help in maintaining a soft, young and
lively skin. Skin is the window to the person's overall
personality. It is the first part of the body that becomes
visible to any person. Therefore, it is important to have a
firm, clean, toned and blemish free skin. There are lots of
anti aging skin care products available in the market, but
selecting the best one is the most crucial point.

----------------------------------------------------
If you want to find out more useful information about anti
aging skin care and skin care in general, please visit:
http://www.antiaging-skin-care-fix.com
http://www.african-american-skin-care-fix.com