Add Some Play Time to Your Life!

Add Some Play Time to Your Life!
I am a member of the American Counsel on Exercise and
recently I have helped a few people get their personal
training certifications through this great organization.

I know daily aerobic activity is a must and I understand
that for a larger portion of the population getting off the
couch is something that takes effort.

Therefore, when I read a section in the manual on aerobic
activity that gardening for 20 minutes burns X amount of
calories it kind of got me revved up a little. My
grandmother gardens every day in the spring, summer and
fall. A little trimming here and watering there. She is
in her 80's and I understand that an hour of that may be
just what she needs to get the blood flowing.

BUT C'MON... if you are in your twenties, thirties,
forties, and even fifties and sixties gardening should not
be a form of exercise for the day.

Don't get me wrong. As I write this article, I can hear
crews of landscapers outside my window. They are climbing
trees, mowing grass, lifting, pulling, heaving and working
hard. That is exercise.

Getting out a flowered knee pad cushion and pruning the
azaleas is not exercise.

This brings me to the topic at hand. ADDING A LITTLE PLAY
TIME TO YOUR LIFE.

Occasionally, I am asked by my clients if they can
reschedule an appointment or choose a different time of day
for their group training because they need to be a sub for
their doubles tennis team or they have a golf outing.

My first questions are always:

If you are going to reschedule, 1) Will you still get in a
workout today? AND 2) If you can't fit in a workout, will
you make the activity worth your while?

Let me explain.

Regular aerobic activity should be included in everyone's
daily routine to strengthen the heart and lungs and make
them work more efficiently.

Activities like running, walking, stair climbing, swimming,
or any number of other activities can get the heart working
harder for a continuous period of time. We won't get into
intensity here as I have written about it before. But
remember I asked "Will you make the activity worth your
while?"

The benefits you get from aerobic activity are numerous,
and people of all ages should engage in regular exercise.
Even if there are health conditions present, regular
aerobic activity can be tailored to fit the individual's
needs as long as you are evaluated by your doctor or a
health care provider first.

It's good to start out slow and gradually increase aerobic
activity as tolerated because any amount of aerobic
activity is better than nothing. But you need to get
moving and make it worth your while.

Now back at the ranch I have to deal with the substitution.
If you are going to get in a training session with me or
by yourself, I don't care how you play tennis, when you go
golfing or make it to that business meeting.

However if you need to skip the workout entirely, then that
should be one heck of a doubles tennis match. You better
go for every serve, make every point count and run like the
wind for every ball. You see, I understand that tennis can
be social and I even admire everyone who uses it as an
activity to get together with friends. But all too often I
have seen 2-3 point volleys and then the point is done. I
even watched a match once that didn't have any points other
than the serve.

I don't want to pick on tennis only. So let's go at the
golf outing.

You skip your workout and then you go have a few drinks on
the front nine, then a huge and fattening lunch at the turn
with a few more drinks on the back nine all while riding in
a cart.

First of all, if you skipped your workout for this activity
and blow off exercise completely, why make it worse by
adding 3000 calories worth of food and liquor?

If you skip an exercise session for a golf outing, then you
need to at least walk the course. Let the cart guy drive
your clubs on the course, but walk as much as possible.

Finally let's try another group of people I deal with: The
basketball leagues. This tends to be a little more
aggressive. These guys sometimes get out of control with
fouls and stuff but all too often I watch half-hearted
efforts at fast breaks and rebounds.

If you are there to play... Why not really try hard?

I myself play in a lacrosse league and tend to run with
guys in their twenties. I am no longer in my twenties.
But I do try to keep up and usually do. I run hard for
every ground ball, I sprint up the field on transitions and
I sub out when it is my turn because I am convinced that if
I run hard for 2 - 4 minute shifts, I help the team more as
opposed to half running for 8 minute shifts.

So I want you to think about joining a program that has a
little level of competition. Some place that is
appropriate for your level of play in any sport and where
you can be pushed when you get involved.

It gets the juices flowing and lets you remember what it
was like to be a kid. You did play outside when you were
young. Why not do it again?

Tag, you're 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

Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega 3 Fish Oil
Chances are, if you have not heard about the health
benefits of omega 3 fish oil yet, you will soon. Omega 3
fish oil is the dietary and nutritional health supplement
that has taken the industry by storm in the past few years.
Typically referring to the omega 3 fatty acids
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid, omega
3 fish oil is a naturally occurring nutritional super food
that is found in the tissues and organs of fish. While more
prevalent in some species than others, the optimum levels
can be found in fatty fish like herring, mackerel, trout
and sardines. Omega 3 fish oil can also be ingested through
numerous types of dietary supplements.

The benefits to the human mind and body are nearly
limitless, and the area which seems to prosper the most is
cardiovascular health. Omega 3 fish oil begins
strengthening the heart from the outside: reducing
triglycerides, lowering cholesterol levels, and even
contributing to weight loss. The miracles continue into the
inner mechanics of the heart, as omega 3 fish oil helps to
maintain our body rhythms. In fact, omega 3 fish oil can
even help to discourage irregular heartbeats. In addition
to maintaining vital processes, it also helps to prevent
sudden cardiovascular occurrences, such as heart attack and
stroke. This is due to the way that omega 3 fatty acids
help to prevent dangerous blood clots. Omega 3 fish oil is
highly recommended by the American Heart Association for
both patients with cardiovascular risks and healthy
individuals.

Part of the magic of omega 3 fish oil is in its wide range
of uses. In addition to assisting with heart health,
supplementing ones diet with omega 3 fish oil can help
combat diabetes. This is because the omega 3 fatty acids
increase the body's ability to process glucose.
Essentially, your body will become a more efficient machine
from the first day you add omega 3 fish oil to your diet.
Omega 3 fish oil has also been linked to helping prevent
certain age related disorders, such as macular degeneration
and even Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to the many benefits related to one's physical
health, omega 3 fish oil also enhances the mental well
being of its users. Studies have linked low levels of omega
3 fatty acids to depression and fatigue. In addition,
recent European studies have even suggested that omega 3
levels affected the positive behavioral characteristics of
inmates. Imagine, a single food supplement that possesses
all of these health benefits and is completely natural.
Omega 3 fish oil is all of this and more.

It is available as a dietary supplement at your local
grocer or on line. Of course, it is also present in every
fish that finds its way onto your plate at your favorite
restaurant. Just think, your next meal could save your life.

----------------------------------------------------
Thomas Budd has a special interest in fish oil, as he takes
the supplement everyday. He believes in practicing good
nutrition through natural, scientifically proven methods in
order to promote overall health. For more information on
fish oil, please visit http://www.Fishoil-pro.com

How to Exercise When Exercising Hurts

How to Exercise When Exercising Hurts
You know you need to exercise. Maybe your doctor has told
you, "You must start exercising!" You know how important it
is, yet every time you try, you hurt. Maybe you hurt for a
little while or maybe you hurt for days and you get
discouraged from exercising at all. Exercise does help
people in pain, but it needs to be the right kind and the
right amount of exercise.

Some important things to remember:

1. Start slowly. If you exercise too much, too hard or too
fast you will feel worse and it will be harder to make
yourself exercise the next time. If your body is in pain,
fatigued or weak, it will respond best to a gentle, slow
approach.

2. Believe in your ability to get better. Wherever you are
in terms of fitness level, you can increase balance,
strength, muscle tone, endurance and range of motion if you
work with your body rather than against it.

3. Treat your body like a good friend. this means
exercising in a kind, enjoyable way. No bullying or forcing
yourself!

4. Little bits count! Start exercising in short segments,
maybe even three to five minutes, and very gradually add
time. When I was very sick with chronic fatigue and
fibromyalgia, I had to rest after walking up a flight of
steps. Exercising at first for me meant walking slowly
around my yard. Today, I climb mountains, hike, dance, lift
weights and lead a vibrantly active life.

5. Just notice. Trust what you notice.Let your inner
noticing, and your trust of yourself, guide you toward your
best exercise.

You are the one who lives in your body. You are the one who
can notice from the inside. When you notice and trust what
you notice you become your own best teacher.

* Which activities and types of exercise make you feel
better and which make you feel worse?

* What are the voices inside your head saying about
exercising? Which voices are helpful and which ones are not?

6. Breathe!

* Move with the breath flowing freely in and out. No need
to push the breath--just relax around it and give it room
to flow all through the body.

* Breathe through the nostrils, not the mouth, whenever
possible. (This calms the mind and prevents strain on the
body.)

* Let your breath remind you when you are doing too much.
When you are gasping and out of breath, slow down a bit so
that you can work within your breath, As you gain stamina
and lung capacity you will be able to exercise more and
more vigorously while breathing easily and without strain.

* Let each exhale be a Letting-Go-Breath. Release tension,
strain and discomfort as you breathe out: ahhhhh...

7. Work within your range of motion. Gradually this will
extend and you will do more with ease. If you force muscles
beyond their range of motion they will contract in fear and
self protection.

8. Practice Relaxation-in-Action. Notice muscles that are
unnecessarily tight and let them relax. How easy can you
let each action be? Cats are fabulous movement teachers.
Watch a cat move and imagine your own body: sleek relaxed,
supple and powerful, moving with no extra tension exerted.
10. Avoid repetitive movements: especially when there is
weight or pressure on the joints.

9. Have fun! Find a type of exercise that feels like fun to
you. Use the buddy system and regularly walk with friends,
meet friends at the pool, sign up for a class with a friend
or make new friends in a class. How can you help exercising
be more fun for you?

10. Choose an exercise class or DVD that has a gentle,
therapeutic focus.

11. Go at your own speed. Sometimes in a group, or even
watching an exercise DVD, you may be tempted to over-ride
your own body wisdom to keep up or compete. When you are
recovering from illness or dealing with chronic pain, it is
vital that you listen to your body and work gently.

12. Use your powerful imagination wisely. Imagination can
work for you or against you. Use yours to work for you by
imagining what you want (strength, muscle tone, balance,
energy and beauty) and by imagining yourself gradually
gaining the ability to exercise more fully and more easily.

13. Warm your muscles. Warm muscles exercise more happily
than cold muscles. Exercise in a comfortably warm room.
Wear layers so you can adjust your body temperature. Use a
heating pad on sore muscles before or while stretching
them. Stretch gently in a warm bath or shower.

Remember-- your body is made to move! So, get moving-
gently and kindly.

Start where you are right now; soon you will see
improvement.

Don't give up! There are forms of exercise that can be
helpful and enjoyable for you!

You will feel better with regular, gentle, intelligent
exercise.

----------------------------------------------------
Mind-body consultant and wellness coach, Lea Houston, MA,
helps people with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and fatigue
create lives of health, vitality and well-being. Get her
free five part e-course, Relieve Your Pain and Reclaim Your
Life Now! and a free subscription to her popular ezine,
Self Care Celebration!, rich with soulful and practical
resources, tips and inspiration at
http://www.SelfCareCelebration.com

Is Steroid Therapy Right For You?

Is Steroid Therapy Right For You?
Steroid therapy is the use of steroid medications, also
known as corticosteroids, to treat many types of autoimmune
disease, including myasthenia gravis, lupus, and multiple
sclerosis, and other disorders, such as asthma. Steroid
medications include medications like prednisone and
cortisone. Corticosteroids can be prescribed to be taken
orally or in other ways, such as by inhalation.

According to Western medicine, steroid medications are
medically necessary to treat many conditions and diseases.
It is important not only to follow the recommendations of
your medical professional regarding steroid use, if you
have decided steroid therapy is right for you, but also to
explore other medical options if you have second thoughts
about steroid medications.

Is steroid therapy right for you?

Steroid medications have major effects on the metabolism of
calcium and bone. Steroid therapy can result in severe bone
loss, osteoporosis, and broken bones. High dosage of
steroid medications can cause rapid bone loss, up to as
much as 15 percent per year. If you are on steroids, you
are more than twice as likely to have a spine fracture as
compared to a person not taking steroids. Fracture risk
increases as the daily doses of steroid medications
increases. The major impact of steroid medication on bone
is fractures (broken bones) that occur most commonly in the
spine and ribs. There are different rates of bone loss
among individuals on corticosteroids. Bone loss occurs most
rapidly in the first six months after starting oral steroid
medications. After 12 months of chronic steroid use, there
is a slower loss of bone. However, not all patients who
take steroid medications experience bone loss.

Other adverse side effects of steroid medications are
elevation of blood pressure, weight gain, decreased
resistance to infection, indigestion, thinning of skin, and
potential development of cataracts and glaucoma.

Let me relate my own experience with steroid therapy.

I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis several years ago.
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular
disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the
skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The hallmark of
the disease is muscle weakness, which increases during
periods of activity and improves after periods of rest.
Certain muscles, such as those that control eyes and eyelid
movements, facial expression, talking, chewing and
swallowing are often involved in this disorder. In
addition, the muscles that control breathing, neck, and
limb movements may also be affected.

Due to myasthenia gravis, I had developed ocular symptoms,
such as ptosis (drooping of eyelids) and diplopia (double
vision), and weak neck and limb muscles. Fortunately, I did
not have weakness of the pharynx muscles, which could cause
difficulty in chewing and swallowing, as well as slurred
speech in many cases of myasthenia gravis.

I was prescribed steroid medications and had been on a
steroid therapy for three years. In addition, I was also
given medications to deal with bone loss and other side
adverse effects associated with the use of steroids.

In my case, there was some improvement, but not significant
enough to make me decide to continue the steroid therapy
after three years of treatment. I had to balance the risks
of steroids and the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

My rude awakening came when I realized that my immune
system, which was the cause of the disease in the first
place, is not only an integrated network of cells that
would protect me in times of an infection, but also a
system with many regulatory mechanisms that, if
uncontrolled, would become my enemy instead of my friend.
More importantly, these steroids may control the symptoms
of myasthenia gravis, but they may also impair my immune
system with lasting effects on my overall health and
wellness further down the road.

I recognized that the human body has a natural mechanism
for self-healing, if given the appropriate environment.
Accordingly, I ttok matters into my hands, and made a
drastic decision to stop my steroid therapy without
consulting my physician (Warning: I do not ask anyone to do
the same.) I stopped the medication very slowly and
gradually. Meanwhile, I did everything to improve my immune
system through a thorough detoxification program, and a
change of diet. I did not gain weight, my blood pressure
became normal and, most important of all, my myasthenia
gravis conditions did not deteriorate. Up to this day, I
still have some double vision, which I have learned to cope
with (I can still drive), but my other symptoms have
disappeared. I have been off steroid therapy for several
years already.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once said: "No man is
a better physician than himself, who knows his own
constitution." No one can decide for you what is best for
your health. A doctor can only give advice, but you are the
one who makes the decision on whether steroid therapy is
right for you.

----------------------------------------------------
Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing medical research for
doctors and scientists. His publications include "NO
MIRACLE CURES" a book on healing and wellness. He has also
created several websites on health and healing, including
the following:
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.rethinkyourdepression.com

Calorie Shifting for Maximum Weight Loss

Calorie Shifting for Maximum Weight Loss
The biggest reason why most people can't lose weight is
because their bodies have adapted to a certain amount of
calories, and when this process happens it causes your
metabolism to slow down significantly and weight loss is
almost impossible. This is the problem with most of the
available weight loss programs.

It is for this reason that people who go on starvation
based diets only lose pounds for the first couple weeks,
and then they get to a point known as a "plateau" which is
a where their body adapts to the severely low amount of
calories and all the weight loss comes to a complete stop.
The other big problem with this type of dieting is that
your metabolism will be alot slower after dieting and you
will gain all the weight back eventually.

To lose weight permanently you mustn't allow your body to
adapt to a specific level of calories daily, otherwise your
metabolism will begin to slow down and you will cease
losing weight. This also applies to eating a certain amount
calories at the same time each day, so in order to avoid
this problem you must never consume the exact same size
breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

To better understand this idea of dieting, you should
always keep your body off-balance by doing these two simple
things:

1. Always eat a different total amount of calories daily.
As an example, one day you might consume 2000 calories,
then the next day you will only consume 1800 calories. The
third day you would consume 1600 calories. On the fourth
day you would consume 1400 calories and on the fifth day
you would cosume 2000 calories again.

2. You also need to change the total amount of calories
consumed at each meal (This is so that your body won't get
used to eating the same size breakfast, lunch and dinner).

For example, one day you might decide to eat a large
breakfast and then a medium sized lunch followed by a small
dinner. Then, the day after you might decide to eat a small
breakfast, a large lunch followed by a medium sized dinner.

As you can now see, your body won't be allowed to adapt to
eating a certain number of calories at any one meal, as
well as not allowing your body to adapt to any one amount
of total calories each day.

To further illustrate this important part of any successful
weight loss plan, we have drawn up a sample of how you
might eat for the next one week period:

Monday: 2000 Calories Total - Breakfast = 700, Lunch = 650,
Dinner = 650

Tuesday: 1800 Calories Total - Breakfast = 600, Lunch =
700, Dinner = 500

Wednesday: 1600 Calories Total - Breakfast = 700, Lunch =
500, Dinner = 600

Thursday: 1400 Calories Total - Breakfast = 450, Lunch =
450, Dinner = 500

Friday: 2000 Calories Total - Breakfast = 700, Lunch = 650,
Dinner = 650

----------------------------------------------------
Fat Loss 4 Idiots is the #1 weight loss diet available
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days, plus you are provided with additional tools to help
you succeed including an online diet generator. To Learn
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Effective Body Detox Program

Effective Body Detox Program
The first thing to do in order to begin a body detox
program is to get rid of all the chemical based toiletries
and household products you have been using. So, it is time
for all those cleansers, shampoos and deodorants to go.
Replace them with nature based products instead. Also
strictly abstain from the temptations of alcohol, caffeine,
cigarettes, unsaturated fat and refined sugars.

Stress is another silent enemy. A temporary pumping up of
adrenaline is very good to meet that extra deadline, but
regular stress causes your liver to slow down the
detoxifying process.

Before embarking on any body detox program it is best to
know which one is best for you. The duration of the program
may vary from 7 days to more than 2 weeks.

There are quite a few other popular and useful detox
methods from which to choose. Here are a couple of body
detox plans and the benefits they have to offer:

1) Body Detox Program #1: Cleaning supplement packages,
which are easily available in the market. They usually
contain fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are good for
cleansing.

2) Body Detox Program #2: There was an ancient practice in
many cultures of following the regimen of drinking only
water one day of the week. Needless to say, it is extremely
effective as a body detox program.

It is, however, important to remember that after a detox
program is over, you have to follow it up with an overall
healthy lifestyle. Here are some post body detox program
diets that you should follow:-

a) Eat brown rice and organically grown fruits and veggies
with plenty of fibers. Also include cabbage, broccoli,
radishes, seaweed etc in your diet.

b) Drink green tea and eat dandelion roots, burdock and
milk thistle to cleanse your liver.

c) Remember to take plenty of Vitamin C to produce
glutathione to maintain your liver.

d) It is advisable to drink 2 quarts of water everyday and
inhale deeply to cleanse and regulate oxygen in your body.
Also, think positive thoughts. It helps reduce stress
levels.

e) For Hydrotherapy, take a very hot shower for 5 minutes,
and follow it up with a cold shower for 30 seconds. Then,
lie down for 30 minutes, and you will be fresh and cleansed.

f) In order to remove toxins through your pores, you can
dry brush your skin or try detoxifying patches and foot
baths. Perspiring in a sauna to get rid of toxins through
sweat is another great idea.

g) Exercise regularly. Go for daily walks and practice yoga
or qigong.

A word of warning though; There may, however, be certain
side-effects to all this. Some of these include:-

i) Bad breath
ii) Headaches
iii) Body odor
iv) Fatigue
v) Skin rashes
vi) Mucous discharge
vii) Abdominal gas and rumbling.
viii) Cold feet and hands
ix) Joint pains
x) Sleeplessness

But remember that not everyone suffers like this. In my
first body detox program, I had terrible headaches and body
pains for the first two days. But I did not give up. And
now, I am extremely proud of myself.

After my first body detox program, which continued for 6
weeks, I have continued living a healthy lifestyle. I
exercise regularly, and try to detox at least twice a year,
you should too; it really works!

----------------------------------------------------
John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook
titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others
on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the
owner of the website called http://www.bodydetoxtips.com
which provides complete and up-to-date information.

Skin Care Tips for Beautiful and Healthy Skin

Skin Care Tips for Beautiful and Healthy Skin
There is no secret in achieving good and healthy skin and
there are some people who are fortunate to have their skin
really appear healthy and glowing. Anyone of you can get
gleaming and beautiful skin only by following some
necessary steps concerning skin care and spending only a
few minutes daily to accomplish your purpose.

In the recent past years, people used to adopt cosmetic
surgery as a method to get beautiful skin. However, with
the passage of time, women are leaning towards the natural
techniques which are made out of natural extracts, safe to
use and free from side effects. These advantages increased
the popularity of natural skin care products over cosmetic
surgery or cosmetic enhancement process. The time of
customary cold creams are replaced by the modern
formulations facial creams that are particularly made for
individual skin type. Ignoring the importance of skin care
is really impossible because this is the most exposed area
of our body and therefore, is more susceptible to
accumulate pollution, germs and dust on it, making it
looking dull and lifeless.

The first move in skincare is ensuring a clean and clear
skin, free from all pollution and foreign bodied present on
its surface like make-up, bacteria, and dust. Use a good
quality milk cleanser to remove the external material
present on your face with the use of a soft cotton pad.
Massage your face gently with the cleansing pad till the
dirt finally gets removed from it followed by a wash with
warm water. It is really important not to disrupt your PH
balance; therefore, use a toner after your face is cleaned.
Moisturizers and lotions applied on the skin help to reduce
the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin suppler.
Applying moisturizers ensure that the procedures you have
just gone through, cleaning, toning and conditioning your
skin, do not go waste.

In order to have more cleansing skin care experience, you
require exfoliating your skin and removing dead cells from
it with the use of peel up twice a week. This procedure is
followed by the application of toner after cleansing your
skin otherwise the present dead cells will not get fully
removed from it. The area around your eyes is very soft and
delicate; therefore a special care should be given to it.
There are some effective natural care products available in
the market by which you can lessen the dark circles around
the eyes and alleviate the puffiness and makes you look
fresh and younger. Water intake is much necessary component
so as to keep your skin healthy because it helps improve
the tone of your skin and also helps detoxify it. Ensure a
hale and hearty skin with intake of good diet, regular
exercise and fresh mind.

Skin covers almost the entire portion of our body, i.e.,
from head to toe, thus maintaining the health and life of
this important organ and to protect it, we must give extra
care and attention to it.

----------------------------------------------------
For all of the reader who looking for tips and knowledge
about the beauty well being, please visit
http://www.proactive-skin-care-fix.com
http://www.beauty-salons-fix.com

Can "Combat Conditioning" Improve Your Appearance?

Can "Combat Conditioning" Improve Your Appearance?
Occasionally in life, someone will blurt out something that
verbalizes your exact thoughts at nearly the precise time
you're thinking them. I experienced this one afternoon when
I was twenty years old and undergoing the most physically
demanding military training ever devised (at least it was
then; I can't speak for it now). It was spring of 1984. I
was in U.S. Navy, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training
as I stood shirtless in front of the bathroom mirror on the
first floor of the beach-front barracks in Coronado,
California. I felt slightly disappointed from a standpoint
of pure vanity when a fellow trainee blurted out to his
buddy:

"Damn... my body has hardly changed a bit since I've been
in this training."

Oh, wow; my sentiments about myself exactly. I looked
around to see that a group of them had stormed into the
other end of the room and this guy had pulled off his shirt
to see whether the inhumanly arduous training had sculpted
something better out of his physique. It hadn't. He was
visibly bummed.

Did we have a lot of "functional strength"? Oh... you bet.
I was able to run up a steep hill of jagged terrain on San
Clemente Island while holding a heavy pallet on my
shoulders. A lot of what we did was impressive feats of
endurance and strength.

Yet I'm actually stronger now, sans some of the endurance.
And believe me; my current gym-built strength is fully
functional. The term "functional strength" is oftentimes
meaningless, esoteric jargon. You're either fully
functional or something's amiss. You're either relatively
strong or you're not. There's not a special kind of muscle
strength that's "functional".

Can you "master your own bodyweight" from this type of
training? Uh... well, this might be more jargon. When I
started the training, I was probably capable of six
pull-ups. When I was well into the training, I could do
thirty. I'm not sure at what number I would have been
considered a master of my own bodyweight. But if you'd
compared me to the guy who could only do two, I guess I was
a master of it all along. HOOYAH! (That's a BUD/S saying)

Yet... how come my physique didn't appear much better?
There are really three simple reasons:

1) Very high-rep exercise (bodyweight stuff) most
effectively burns body fat with eating habit improvements.

2) Very high-rep exercise ("mastering" bodyweight) hardly
adds any muscle size.

3) We're obviously limited in scope of exercises we can
perform with the bodyweight, combat conditioning stuff
(unless we start military pressing our buddies, like the
U.S. Marines do). This can cause whatever miniscule muscle
gains we can acquire from it to be aesthetically unbalanced.

Let's face the facts: It's really only some visually
noticeable muscle added to the body along with major drops
in body fat that significantly augments one's appearance.
You can make an improvement with just one or the other
(some additional muscle or some reduction of fat), but it's
both together that creates exciting, head-turning physique
results.

'Combat conditioning' (i.e. training the body purely for a
combat situation), using only one's body weight for
resistance, will build the mitochondria fibers of the
muscles. These are the slow-twitch fibers that possess the
least potential for growth. With only negligible increases
in muscle size, it's pretty difficult to improve the shape
of one's body very much.

Yet this type of training will also cause the body to
deplete the energy stores of the muscles. This effectively
creates a repletion process that includes the breaking down
of triglycerides that can be drawn from fat stores within
the body. What you're doing, in effect, is taking energy
from stored body fat and converting it to stored muscle
fuel. That's a good thing.

But this positive effect can easily be negated if one's
eating habits aren't controlled. What happened to us within
the combat conditioning context of BUD/S Training is that
we became hungrier and simply ate more carbohydrates and
dietary fat to compensate for the intense training. So,
although we were capable of incredible endurance feats (the
utility of which off the combat field can be debated), we
didn't possess the "hard body" appearance some of us were
expecting from such rigors.

Would I ever go back to using 'body weight exercises' as my
fitness regimen? Let's face it; they're convenient ' right?
A travelling person can do them right there in the hotel
room after rolling their groggy butt out of bed.

Yeah, I'll go back to them when some wacko blows up every
gym in the world. You see, most people engage in natural
bodybuilding in a time-wasting and ineffective manner. I've
discovered a way to do it that keeps me getting exciting
(and thus motivating) results while not having to live in
the gym.

What's more, regardless of the controversy surrounding "how
many BMR calories are burned by a pound of muscle", I've
noticed my body fat is much easier to keep down since
putting on appreciable amounts of natural muscle. A picture
speaks a thousand words ' and anyone can see the contrast
at the very top of my web site.

----------------------------------------------------
Scott Abbett is the author of HardBody Success: 28
Principles to Create Your Ultimate Body and Shape Your Mind
for Incredible Success. He is a certified fitness trainer
and a Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP. To see his
personal transformation visit http://www.hardbodysuccess.com

How To Break Up The Plaque In Coronary Heart Disease

How To Break Up The Plaque In Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease or (CHD) is the prerequisite to a
fatal massive heart attack. I unfortunately have had to
deal with the aftermath of such an unbelievable killer.
Chances are that you either have suffered from (CHD) or you
know someone who has experienced this disease. Millions of
people shouldn't have to suffer from (CHD), if they receive
the proper knowledge about it. In this article, I reveal
the definition of (CHD), the risk factors, the indirect
risk factors and oral chelation.

What Is (CHD)?

Atherosclerotic Heart Disease, Coronary Heart Disease and
also Coronary Heart Disease is the end result of the
accumulation of a atheromatous plaques within the walls of
the arteries that supply the muscles of the heart with
oxygen and nutrients. Did you know that the most common
cause for death of men and woman over 20 years of age is
(CHD)? Coronary Heart Disease also progresses for decades
in people without any sign or symptom, which helps to
enable it to be the most common cause of sudden death.
Artherosclerotic heart disease consists of streaks that do
not block the flow of blood. Through an angiogram test
there may be no evidence of (CHD) because the lumen of the
artery hasn't changed in shape.

Through the years the streaks of plaque may increase in
thickness. Moreover, these streaks can expand into the
walls of the arteries and through time will grow in the
lumen of the vessel. The plaque actually rupturing and
causing an accumulation of thrombus material causes plaque
burden. Did you know that an individual could develop
symptoms of obstructive coronary heart disease after the
plaque blocks more than 70% of the diameter of the vessel?
In contrast, arterial plaques that cause a blockage of less
than 70% of the diameter of the vessel rarely cause
symptoms of (CHD).

What Are The Risk Factors?

Hypertension

Smoking

Hyperglycemia (due to diabetes mellitus or otherwise)

Type A behavioral patterns

Hypercholesterolemia (LDL concentrations)

Hereditary differences in such diverse aspects as
lipoprotein structure and that of their associated
receptors, homocysteine processing/metabolism.

What Are The Indirect Risk Factors?

Diet low in antioxidants

Stress

Lack of exercise

Diet rich in saturated fats

What Is Oral Chelation?

Chelation is based on the observation that when a certain
amino acid complex called EDTA comes into contact with
certain positively charged metals and other substances such
as lead, calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium, plutonium, iron,
and manganese it grabs them. The EDTA actually grabs
metallic cations such as calcium or lead (calcium and
cholesterol form plaque within the blood vessels) and forms
a compound that is then excreted from our system. As a
result, oral chelation can break up plaque, which in turn
can help to lower triglyceride levels and probably reduce
(CHD) related problems.

As more information on coronary heart disease is
discovered, I will update this article accordingly.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided herein should not be construed as
a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other
prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The
information is provided with the understanding that the
publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any
other health-care profession and does not enter into a
health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its
readers.

----------------------------------------------------
The author holds a degree in Biological Sciences and has
spent countless hours researching health information. For
even more information on heart disease check out the
authors website at
http://www.born-again-health-and-fitness.com

How Do I lose Body Fat?

How Do I lose Body Fat?
Natural weight loss is a big subject today for many people
who do not understand the principle of eating only the
amount they need for the amount physical activity they
perform; advice like this is for the most part ignored. You
would think this simple set of instructions should be easy
to follow; with the number of overweight American citizens
increasing, this advice obviously doesn't work. The
conflicting aspect is that a large percentage of overweight
people are desperately trying to lose those pounds whether
it is because they are tired of the looks they receive or
for health reasons.

What most people do not realize is keeping at the right
weight is much, much easier than losing it. Even though
many people know this subconsciously very few actually plan
to ensure that weight gain doesn't happen to them.

Studies have shown that it is more likely a person who has
lost weight using a calorie controlled diet, even if they
actually enjoyed it, are more likely to go back to their
old eating habits at some point. Natural weight loss is
about losing weight for good and requires switching to
healthy eating habits and implementing lifestyle changes to
stay healthy.

The truth is there is a huge price to pay with your health
when you are overweight and in particular, clinically
obese. The annoying part is that natural weight maintenance
is not difficult to understand but overweight people choose
to ignore this.

Natural weight loss requires a balanced approach which
means a diet that contains quantities of complex
carbohydrates, fiber, reduced fat and not too much protein.
A meal containing this group would be something like a
baked potato, vegetables and some meat, lean of course but
it would not contain gravy or sour cream.

Unfortunately, dietary fat contains higher amounts of
calories than ordinary food which when consumed will just
be converted to body fat more readily. Despite the number
of either low fat or zero fat foods on the market, it's a
surprise that the American people continue to put on
weight, but there is a very good reason for this.

The misconception is if you are eating something fat-free
then you won't be adding extra fat to your body but all
food contains calories, just not always in the form of fat.
If you really want to lose weight through a program you
will need to dump the fat free products and eat small
healthy snacks that are high in nutrition.

Some health care specialists believe that a good method is
to eat smaller meals and healthy, nutritious snacks every 3
or 4 hours. When combined with regular exercise, this
natural weight loss plan offers a way to lose unwanted
pounds in the long run.

----------------------------------------------------
Article by Rachel Harding. Are you struggling to lose
weight I was to till now. Go to http://offto.net/io0whp/ to
find out what I did.

Silicosis Litigation on the Rise

Silicosis Litigation on the Rise
In the early 1930s, a mining scandal in Hawk's Nest, West
Virginia rocketed the country, calling attention to the
dangers of an industrial mineral called crystalline silica.
A construction company asked its workers to mine the
mineral using dynamite, but did not give them breathing
masks to prevent them from inhaling the thick dust that
resulted. Nor were the workers told of the dangers of the
silica dust, which collected so heavily on their skin and
clothes that they tracked it home at night. As little as a
year later, they began dying of a severe respiratory
difficulty that we now know was probably silicosis, a
disabling and incurable lung disease.

The Hawk's Nest scandal resulted in a slew of lawsuits and
a new, strict set of workplace safety standards from the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
mandating ventilation, protective gear and limits on how
long a worker may be exposed to silica. Since the Great
Depression, the number of U.S. silicosis deaths has
steadily declined, and personal-injury suits related to the
disease have dwindled that is, until now.

In the past four years, the number of silicosis-related
lawsuits filed in the U.S. has skyrocketed. U.S. Silica,
one of the nation's largest makers of industrial silica
sand, reported a tenfold rise in personal-injury suits
against it between June of 2001 and June of 2002. The state
of Mississippi saw 76 new silicosis suits statewide in
2001; by the end of 2004, that figure was more than 20,000.

Part of that rise can be attributed to simple probability.
Silica is the second most common mineral on Earth, found in
hundreds of industrial materials such as concrete, cement,
sands, paints and pavement. And despite the well-known
danger of silicosis, which was identified in European stone
cutters as early as 1705, some employers still fail to
adequately protect their workers or warn them to avoid
silica dust. OSHA reports that 1.7 million U.S. workers are
exposed to silica dust each year; 250 of those workers die.

But another part of the increase in silicosis litigation
has to do with its similarities with asbestos litigation.
Like silica, asbestos is an industrial mineral that was
once widespread in construction and manufacturing,
potentially exposing millions of Americans to a
debilitating disease. Like silica, asbestos can be inhaled
but not exhaled, causing lung scarring and crippling
respiratory damage. The same industries and many of the
same companies were involved in the manufacture and use of
both minerals.

Unlike silica litigation, asbestos litigation has passed
its peak, with many lawsuits either finished or slated for
a general settlement fund put together by Congress. With
awareness of silica dust's dangers rising, asbestos
attorneys are now lending their experience and expertise to
silica litigation.

Like asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases,
silicosis is caused by the human body's inability to
breathe out fine particles that reach toxic concentrations
with repeated occupational exposure. Once silica finds its
way into the body, it lodges deep within a part of the
lungs that can't be cleared by coughing or mucous. Over
time, this causes inflammation, scarring, and a tissue
buildup called pulmonary fibrosis — all of which leave the
victim short of breath after even light exercise. Other
symptoms include fatigue, extremities turning blue, loss of
appetite and a persistent cough. In more severe cases,
silicosis can weaken the heart and cause respiratory
failure, leaving patients dependent on a respirator to
breathe. It has no cure. And because silicosis is caused
only by occupational exposure, it is 100 percent
preventable.

----------------------------------------------------
To learn more about silicosis lawsuits, visit
http://www.LegalView.com/ . Readers can also learn about
the latest mesothelioma jury verdicts, which is a disease
similar to silicosis. Or learn about the Heparin recall at
http://baxter-heparin.legalview.com/ .