Weight Loss Camps For Adults

Weight loss camps for adults first materialised during the early 1980s and were based on the familiar summer camp experience. These camps, not only for adults, but teenagers alike, are an excellent choice for those looking to find healthy ways to lose weight, gain motivation, and with the added benefit of meeting and making new friends along the way. Weight loss camps for adults, or fitness holidays, are now becoming as popular as following well known diet plans.
In the early days, such activities were known as "fat farms" or "boot camp" weight loss programs. These early programs failed to address essential behavioural and emotional experiences, such as body image and body acceptance issues. True effective weight loss management is about understanding the patients emotional experiences as well as the physical problems to be overcome.
Many experts would agree that results are short-lived because true behavioural change can only occur with the understanding of healthy living principles, and how to deal with related emotions and stresses the patient may well be experiencing in everyday life. A good weight loss camp should not just be about diet and exercise but about tailoring a programme to meet individual needs.
Thankfully, weight loss camps for adults have come a long way since those early days of the 1980's. The key to successful weight loss is making changes in your eating and physical activity habits that you can keep up for the rest of your life. A good weight loss camp will develop an exercise and nutrition program specific to each individual needs and capabilities that can be continued long after leaving the camp. The staff of a good camp should include qualified counsellors, nutritionists, registered dieticians, psychologists and exercise physiologists. Each plays a very important role in providing a complete programme to promote healthy living.
For families wanting to work together, there are weight loss and fitness camps consisting of communities of parents, children and staff working together to achieve the same fitness goals. These camps are designed to help adults and children alike embrace a healthy lifestyle, and discover just how fun and rewarding it can be for the family to get fit and stay fit together. Many families who enrol on these programs lose weight and return home feeling fitter and more motivated to continue a more healthy active lifestyle.
If you are looking for a fun but hard work way of finding much needed motivation to lose weight and get fit, then weight loss camps for adults can be an excellent starting point for losing excess body fat and starting a new healthy and fitter lifestyle.
To learn more about effective weight loss secrets and to receive a FREE weight loss secrets report please visit www.stuarts-ebooks.com/WeightLossSecrets.html [http://www.stuarts-ebooks.com/HealthAndFitness/WeightLossSecrets.html].


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1039315

What Is Chair Massage?

Chair massage is a short massage, anywhere from five to 30 minutes, done through the clothing. It typically focuses on key tension areas in the back, neck, shoulders and arms. A professional practitioner performs it in a specially designed ergonomic massage chair. They were originally referred to by its creator, David Palmer, as "on-site massage" since the massage chairs were portable and were usually brought into a workplace. However, this kind of onsite massage service is now more commonly referred to as simply "chair massage" and sometimes as "seated massage".

They are performed in all kinds of environments. Most people know about the service as a corporate massage service, although probably only half of all of them are done in the workplace. Retail chair massage, either done in massage stores or as stand alone massage booths or massage kiosks is becoming increasingly common.
One of the benefits of them is that it takes a service that is typically done behind closed doors and makes it visible to the public. Because it is done out in the open, people getting them know exactly what to expect. They can see who is doing the massage and what they are doing.

Another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing. Many people feel uncomfortable getting undressed for traditional massage that is done on a table. With seated massage, people can avoid the discomfort and awkwardness that they may feel having to disrobe.
The sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage making it very convenient for anyone to fit into their schedule. And because the sessions are shorter, the cost for a chair massage is relatively low. These benefits make chair massage a safe, convenient and affordable. It's no wonder that more people are introduced to massage through chair massage than through any other massage technique.

Relax to the Max is the only chair massage school in North America that specializes in seated massage. Visit their site online at http://www.chairmassagetraining.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/825566

Steps to Becoming a Personal Fitness Trainer

1. Do you have the qualities of a successful trainer?
The first step on the road to becoming a successful personal trainer is determining whether or not you have what it takes. A personal trainer needs to be patient, persistent, organized, motivating and, most of all, a good listener. You should be able to work with a wide variety of people and get them to listen to and follow your instructions. It is important that you can convey your knowledge in a way that is easy to understand for a beginner client.
2. Choose a certification
All personal trainers must be certified. But, there are a number of organizations that provide certifications for personal trainers. It is always a smart move to go with the best certification, even if it costs a little extra. One of the most well-respected certifications is through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). The exam is comprehensive and will prepare you train a wide variety of clients. You should visit their website to learn more about the exam as well as ask the gym that you want to work for which certifications they prefer.
3. Choose a specialty
This step is not required, but it is always good to set yourself apart from other personal trainers. The fitness industry is extremely competitive and any edge can go a long way towards making you a successful personal trainer. Plus, becoming specialized will allow you to boost your resume, market yourself better and increase your pay. One example of a specialty certification is the ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist certification. This certification will allow you to work with special populations such as people with chronic diseases or injuries.
4. Get a job
After you get certified, it's imperative you get experience training clients. The best way to do this is by getting a job at a local gym. They will provide you with a consistent stream of clients that will help you get the experience you need before starting out on your own.
5. Set up your own business
Once you have gained experience training a wide variety of people, it is a good idea to venture out on your own. Independent personal trainers make significantly more money and have much more freedom with their day-to-day schedule. You should begin by choosing a business name, registering your business and getting liability insurance.
Another important step with starting your own business is finding a place to train your clients. Since starting your own gym is extremely cost intensive, it is a good idea to contact local gyms to see whether they will allow you to train clients at their facility. Usually they will agree as long as you pay a small fee (around $10-$15) per hour.
6. Market Yourself
Once you have set up your business, it's time market yourself and establish a client base. Different marketing methods working in different areas, but you should look into making flyers, newsletters, business cards or a website. This may seem difficult at first, but once you get the ball rolling it will get easier and easier to acquire clients.
7. Improve Your Skills
The path to becoming a successful personal trainer is about always learning as much as you can. If you want to be a good trainer, you need to know the latest research and keep acquiring new certifications. At this point, it's probably a good idea to attend personal trainer summits, workshops and seminars in order to further your education.
8. Beyond Personal Training
Once you are an established personal trainer and small business owner there are a number of opportunities available to you. You can consider consulting, fitness writing, athletic coaching or group fitness instruction. The path to becoming a successful personal trainer is long and arduous, but the benefits are limitless if you put in the time and effort.
If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, my personal recommendation for a personal training certification is the NASM exam. You can learn more about NASM and how to study for the exam at NASM Study Guide.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7458323

Fitness Mantra for Your Mind, Body and Soul - Ashtanga Yoga!

How are you maintaining a balance with the fast paced world? Do you sometimes feel tired of life? Do you want to strengthen your body so that it can withstand the daily pressures of life? Are you sick of the daily exercises which are boring and which actually you want to avoid every morning? If your answer is a 'yes', then read on. And if it is a 'no', then I must say, there is something special for you too.
One of the biggest drawbacks of your regular exercises is that it can provide fitness to your body only; what about your mind and soul? One simple answer - Try the age-old practice of Yoga. Yes, whatever you call it, yoga, dance yoga, kickboxing yoga, yoga workout or anything else, the point is that it can certainly give you a solution.
What you need is to join a yoga class. You can go for a yoga centre or a yoga studio, whatever it is and start practicing. One advantage of joining such classes is that you can have the proper training from the yoga teachers. Once you have learnt Ashtanga Yoga you can easily practice it at your home. You just need to buy some equipment like a yoga DVD, a yoga bag and a mat to perform the exercise.
No matter where you practice, at home or at a class, doing the yoga correctly is very important for a positive outcome. Whereas a right posture can cure many diseases, a wrong one can create troubles too. Here are some types of yoga which are very popular nowadays.
• Pilates Yoga- Developed by George Pilates, this type of exercise is very popular in the United States. Though it is referred as yoga, actually it is not. The only resemblance is that it also gives an exercise to the mind. It can be referred to as a yoga with movement or yoga with machines.
• Bikram Yoga- Bikram yoga is a more aerobic and a physical type of yoga. It was founded by Bikram Choudhry. This type of yoga is not meant for everyone. It is carried out in a warm room with a temperature around 90 to 100 degrees and therefore it is also called as hot yoga.
• Power Yoga- This is actually a modified version of Ashtanga yoga, which will be described later on. It is a practice of doing 'yoga poses' in a continuous series of exercises. This type of yoga helps you to enhance your inner power and to make a connection with your soul.
• Ashtanga Yoga- In Sanskrit, Ashtanga means 'eight limbs' and it refers to the eight limbs of the Yoga Sutras. It was taken from Yoga Korunta, a very ancient text. A student has to progress through six different series in this type of yoga.
This method helps in realignment of spine, detoxification of body, building strength and flexibility and also in strengthening of the nervous system.
There are three different levels of Ashtanga yoga. The first level helps you to align the body and gets the toxins out of your body. The second level helps to clean and open the energy channels. The last level is for the advanced ones and it helps in measuring power and grace.
Ashtanga yoga is a very popular type of yoga. It is a very energetic and athletic form of practice. It has many benefits like relieving from sore muscle and joint pain. Along with these physical benefits, it does have some mental and emotional benefits also. If you practice this yoga, you gain the ability to focus mentally and release the negative energy. It will give you relief from unwanted tensions as well.
If you are searching for a perfect yoga fitness program, Ashtanga yoga can be a good choice for you. If you are a beginner in the field of yoga then this can be quite tough for you to start with. You can start with some other simple methods. After bringing yourself up to its level and gaining the required fitness level, you can surely give it a try and reap the benefits!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5144853

Hair Loss Treatment for Women

As a woman, one of the things that your mom probably didn't tell you was that as you entered menopause, you might well start losing some of your hair. For those women with thick hair, they might not even notice it, but if you have naturally thin hair already, you might start seeing more of your scalp than you are comfortable with. Even though you might think that every hair loss treatment out on the market today is designed solely for men, there are several methods of hair loss treatment for women that will work for you.
Why Do You Lose Hair?
We all lose hair naturally as you probably know by looking at your clothing, your brush, or the floor of your shower or tub. But, there may be a time when you start to lose hair at a more rapid pace and making some swift changes to your life can help slow down the hair loss. The most common reason why women actually lose hair is because of the way they take care of it. Men wash their hair and let it dry, but many women spend an awful lot of time altering their hair with chemical products, using excessively hot styling equipment as well as products that are full of ingredients that just aren't good for your body.
The other reason why a lot of women lose hair is that they don't realize that putting hair up in a ponytail, brushing it while it is wet, or braiding it can actually result in more hair loss. Basically, when you put a lot of pressure on your hair, it will eventually give up and start falling out.
What Else Causes Hair Loss in Women?
Menopause is one of the major causes of losing hair in women, but so are prescription medications. Before you panic and think that you are going bald, you should talk to your doctor to determine just what kind of hair loss you are having and what the potential causes could be. It might be that you have an issue with your thyroid or that one of the medications that you are taking has a side effect of your losing hair.
What Can You Do?
Once you have identified whether your losing hair is due to environmental factors, health issues, or just the natural aging process, you can then start treating it. One mane loss treatment for women that has come around in recent years is the same kind of medication that is used for balding men. This is a good solution for women with excessive mane loss, but in most cases it is not really necessary.
Simply by taking better care of your skin, your scalp, your hair, and your diet, you should find that you can stop the hair loss in its tracks. A hair loss treatment for women that is very popular is the use of natural oils on the scalp and the hair. By massaging your scalp with natural oils, you will help to rejuvenate hair growth and you will also bring more blood flow and therefore more oxygen to the follicles, which can aid in growth.
It is also important to keep in mind that hair growth is a delicate matter and it can be affected by such things as lack of sleep, too much stress, a poor diet, obesity, and even allergies. The best idea for most women is to try to eat the best possible diet and one that is free from chemicals and processed foods if possible. By using shampoos and styling products that are also chemical-free, you should notice that your hair loss begins to slow down.
Many women find that the answer to mane loss can be found in taking multi-vitamins, eating a better diet, getting a better night's sleep, and simply being more careful with their hair and scalp. However, if you do continue to lose excessive amounts of hair, then you should certainly talk to a doctor.
Still sick and tired of suffering from hair loss & thinning hair and you might have tried everything in a desperate attempt to revitalize your hair but with no permanent result?
If you have 2 minutes, then I will show you "The New Natural Hair Loss Treatment & Hair Re-growth Solution For MEN and WOMEN! It has been proven in clinical studies to prevent hair loss and promote re-growth in 90% of test participants.
The dual action solution will put a dead stop to any hair loss or thinning you might be experiencing plus stimulates the growth of strong, thick, silky hair that will get you noticed wherever you go!
To prevent further hair loss or seek hair re-growth, visit HarVokse Dual Action Solution


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7240256

Rheumatic Heart Disease Treatment Gifts a Normal Life

With the wide spread use of effective antibiotics, the incidence of this disease has been greatly reduced in recent times. Sadly enough, rheumatic fever that causes the rheumatic heart disease can damage the heart valves wherein they fail to open and close properly.
Types of Rheumatic heart disease treatments
Treatmentdepends on the exact type of the rheumatic heart disease condition. Most commonly blood thinners (coumadin and aspirin) are prescribed to prevent the blood clots.
As the sufferer may be prone to further attacks that cause more heart damage, the doctor may prescribe monthly or daily antibiotic treatment, perhaps for life. The other kind of rheumatic heart disease treatment may involve heart surgery depending upon the extent of valve damage due to rheumatic fever. Implantation of artificial valve or even the opening of an excessively narrowed valve are the more common surgical options involved in the treatment.
Yet another non surgical option is available to those patients who are poor candidates to surgical options and it is called as balloon valvuloplasty. This type of non surgical procedure in rheumatic heart disease treatment will involve snaking a balloon-tipped catheter through the arteries and into the valve, while the balloon is inflated, to let open the leaves of the valve.
Risks posed by lack of Treatment
With the failure to get rheumatic heart disease treatment done, a sufferer may further face the risk of congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm or stroke. The heart valves damaged due to rheumatic fever can pose the problem of backflow and regurgitation of blood- preventing the valves from opening fully. Due to this, pumping of blood becomes less efficient and your heart has to work harder and faster.
Rheumatic heart disease treatment can range from almost nothing to surgery. Dietary changes have a profound impact on many of the prevailing heart diseases.
Role of Omega 3 fatty acids in Heart disease
In addition to following a strict medication program, a rheumatic heart-disease sufferer has to eat a well balanced heart healthy diet that is low in fat, salt and cholesterol. Fish oil fats are good promoters of optimal wellness in us. As our body is incapable of making these fats, we need to get them through our diet. Research studies have shown that the omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil is significant in promoting our heart health.
In fact the fatty acid reduces the occurrence of heart-disease by arresting many risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It helps to eliminate the plaque build up in the arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke. Consuming more of these oily fish or taking a refined fish oil supplement should do its bit for our heart fitness.
Dino Ascari is an health expert. He studied biology and is particularity fascinated by the benefits of omega 3 fish oil capsules.
Check out his guide about heart disease treatments.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4546593

Is Depression a Mental Illness?

Many people suffering from mental depression illness and they know that it can have a debilitating effect on their everyday lives. A lot of mental depression sufferers find that they are unable to leave the house, work in a job for long and they are often burdened by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Mental depression can sometimes be so serious that people can think of, attempt or even succeed at suicide. As such, mental depression should be taken very seriously. If anyone you know is a sufferer of mental depression, get them assessed by a qualified professional so as to know what steps to take towards treating the depression.
Usually, mental depression is a result of chemical imbalances that occur in the brain. Sometimes, this can originate from a traumatic childhood or in more puzzling cases, appear for no apparent reason. Regardless of the causes, it is hardly any fun. Most sufferers tend to internalize their feelings, which in turn results in them becoming anti-social and isolate themselves. This seclusion prevents them from enjoying life as they are unable to form meaningful relationships with anyone. Even the simple task of getting up in the morning is burdensome for sufferers from mental depression.
Help is, however, readily available for those who suffer from mental depression. Some prescriptions can help a sufferer find hope where they previously had none. There are also specialized doctors who can assist a depression sufferer in working through their issues so that they have better self-esteem. Even experts acknowledge that they do not fully understand what makes people become depressed, especially in instances where there are no discernible factors. Everyone gets upset every once in a while, usually attributed to a traumatic event like a bad break up or losing their job. Regardless of the reason (or lack of), it is important for a sufferer to seek help the moment the depression starts to affect their daily life.
If you know someone who is perpetually feeling down (especially when they begin to entertain suicidal thoughts), they are very likely to be sufferers of depression. Depressed people often broadcast signals about their emotional state. While the signals may be subtle and murky at first, this may actually be a cry for help. As such, respond to their calls and help them. For all you know, you could save someone else life.
Depression is treatable. You have to be mindful that there is always hope and that the situation can always improve. There is no reason to be feeling down unnecessarily. Get some help so that you can begin to feel positive about life again, just like you used to be before the depression.
Discover the facts about mental depression illness [http://www.depressionfactsexposed.com] and the 7 part mini course that shows you how to cope with your depression. Want to know the natural depression relief method to stop your panic attacks? Check out the review of panicportal [http://www.squidoo.com/panicportalreview].


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2349653

How to Choose the Best Acupuncture School For You

If you're considering becoming an acupuncturist or getting training in acupuncture or Oriental medicine, you want to make sure you pick the best acupuncture school possible. You may be thinking about setting up your own practice or getting a job with a good salary and working with other health professionals. If you have a school in your area that you're already aware of there will still be some things to check out.
Acupuncture schools and programs have been cropping up over the years more and more as acupuncture has become universally accepted. More and more doctors are referring their patients to acupuncturists and other healers and health insurance companies are beginning to recognize the value of acupuncture and are including it in their health insurance policies.
In the early 1980s two important acupuncture school accreditation commissions were formed. They are the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM). This accreditation is important for you as a student of acupuncture.
You want to make sure that whatever school or program you choose has been accredited. There may be acupuncture schools or programs operating without this accreditation. Also there are some schools that are candidates for accreditation. They have applied for but have not received accreditation yet. So you may want to wait until they do get accredited or go to a school with accreditation. Transferring of credits may be difficult if the school is not accredited.
States that have accredited acupuncture schools include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. In Canada there is a school in British Columbia that is accredited.
States that have schools that are candidate schools at the time of this writing - that is they are waiting for accreditation and include: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington. In Canada there is a candidate school waiting in Ontario.
Choosing a school close to home will save you a lot of money on housing and transportation costs besides a lot of other costs and should be the first consideration. Secondly make sure the Oriental Medicine or Acupuncture school is accredited. Many of these schools are naturopathic schools or specialize in oriental Medicine, herbal medicine, applied health sciences or traditional Chinese medicine.
Make sure to check out all their degree programs. When going over the classes, make sure you don't sign up for classes you don't need to cut costs and save time. Find out what acupuncture classes are offered online. There is federal money available for online classes. Sometimes people are encouraged to take classes that aren't necessary. Find out if they help place you in a job if you don't plan to set up your own practice. There are a few other important acupuncture school tips - too many to include here.
Next for more secrets and tips on choosing the best acupuncture schools and finding the best acupuncture school financial aid http://www.AcupunctureSchoolsTips.com a nurse's website also for info on acupuncture schools lists


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4815855

5 Healthy Breakfast Menus - Plus How To Save Money On Breakfast!

Five Healthy Breakfast Menus you can easily make under 15 minutes. These menus are low cost, super simple, and delicious. The whole family will love these Five Healthy Breakfast Menus!
Lately I've been on the search for variety in meals for my family. Let's start with Breakfast! I try to make a balanced breakfast with protein, whole grain carb, some healthy fat, and fruit. It fills my family up until lunch time on school days. Here my top Five Healthy Breakfast Menus-
  1. Whole wheat pita filled with scrambled eggs and cheese, add diced veggies in the eggs if the kids will eat it, and strawberries on the side.
  2. Breakfast Burritos- Whole grain tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, leftover sausage from the day before, salsa, avocado, low-fat cheese, you name it, stick it in there. Find out what they your family loves. Be creative, use shrimp, leftover diced potatoes, etc., plus watermelon on the side.
  3. Hard boiled eggs (I have an egg cooker I got from Wal-greens, just pop the eggs in and it buzzes when they are done, super easy, cook extra for after school snacks), lean turkey sausage, Ezekiel bread toasted (this stuff is SO healthy and my kids love it, because they are use to it!) with 100% all fruit jelly, and sliced banana on the side.
  4. Waffles or pancakes- Make from scratch, takes 5 min to stir together, and 7-8 minutes to cook, actually very easy, fresh, and healthy- Recipe: 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, pinch of stevia, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 4 TBSP soft butter, 2 1/2 cups milk or almond milk, 2 eggs, beaten. Mix dry first, then add the rest together, stir until well blended, adjust the milk as necessary, add a little extra for thinner pancakes or less for thicker pancakes. Can use recipe in a waffle maker or for pancakes. Cook for a few minutes on each side, Variations; add mashed banana, pumpkin, blueberries, cinnamon, vanilla, diced apples, etc. Top with maple syrup, or honey. Try to stay away from regular pancake syrup, the stuff is no good- really. Or top with strawberries! Yum! (You can make a double batch and stick the extras in the freezer, then on another day just pop them in the toaster for a quick breakfast!)
  5. Greek yogurt is amazing because it is full of protein, it is great for breakfast with fruit, and half and of a whole wheat English muffin.
Plus two bonus Breakfast menus- (*smile*)
  1. Oatmeal is great, get the old fashioned oats, takes just five minutes to cook on the stove or microwave, stir in peanut butter, or a scoop of whey protein powder, top with a few nuts, sweeten with stevia or honey, serve with sliced apples or berries.
  2. Smoothies, you can do all kinds of things with smoothies. Now these don't seem to keep my kids full as long, so you will have to see how it works for your family. Start with ice, a scoop of whey protein powder, yogurt, fruit like bananas, strawberries, pineapple, etc (yah, just throw what you have in there!), sweeten with a tad bit of stevia, and blend!
As you can tell I like to use Stevia to sweeten instead of sugar or artificial sugar. You can find Stevia anywhere now! Trader Joes, health food stores, grocery stores. Stevia is all natural, has no calories, and doesn't affect your blood sugar level. It's good stuff.
Money saving tips for my Five Healthy Breakfast menus-
  • Shop at a store such as Sam's Club or Costco for most items.
  • Watch store circular ads for their rock bottom sale prices, buy those items in large quantities while they are at the lowest price.
  • Shop health stores (such as Sprouts) that have big bins of grocery stapes that you scoop yourself, items like whole wheat flour, oats, sea salt, beans, brown rice, etc. The prices are much lower in bulk bins. (Stay away from the bulk candy bins smile)
  • To save money on produce hit up Farmer's Markets or Fruit Stands, prices are about a third of what you would pay in a normal store.
  • Make your own home-made muffins or scones using whole grains and natural sweeteners instead of white flour and sugar, store in freezer. Pull out for breakfast or after school snacks!
I hope you enjoyed the Five Healthy Breakfast Menus and it inspires you to try some new menus for your family. Have fun! If you plan ahead a bit you will be prepared to whip out breakfast in the morning in 15 minutes or less. You can do it! You are busy, but you can have a nice family breakfast in the morning. It's great to pull the family together in the morning for a nice breakfast, it doesn't need to be elaborate or fancy, but nutritious and fun! Send your kids off to school, or off to play after a warm loving breakfast (well, minus the sibling fighting, and the part about "hurry up so you won't be late for school". ha!).
The author of this article is a busy mom and fitness motivator who offers practical support with family life and accountability with fitness goals. Visit www.AnnMarieRichardson.com today to view more of her Tips For Busy Moms and Five Healthy Breakfast Menus.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5266241

Effective Ways To Lose Weight Quickly

Have you been struggling to lose weight? It is time to develop your own weight loss program. Go over the following article to learn more about efficient ways of losing weight.
Adopt a balanced diet. You can easily reach a healthy weight by eating reasonable quantities of the five food groups rather than going on a crash diet. Your diet should include large portions of cereal, especially whole grains. You also need five daily portions of fruits and vegetables and between thirty and forty grams of meat. Choose lean meats such as poultry, fish or eggs instead of red meat. Dairy products are important but you need very small portions since these foods contain fat. Fats and oils are the least important food group and you will probably get the fats and oils you need in the fish and dairy products you eat.
Always check the labels of the foods you buy. Ingredients such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, saturated fats, sodium and preservatives are not healthy. You should avoid these ingredients as much as possible and eliminate unhealthy food choices from your diet. Stop going to fast food restaurants and avoid fried foods, processed foods and sweets or salty snacks as much as possible. Soda should also be replaced with water. Do not assume that a food is healthy because the label says fat free or sugar free; these foods often contain high amounts of another unhealthy ingredients.
Living an active lifestyle will help you stay in shape. If you spend long hours watching TV or sitting at a desk, make some changes to your habits. You need to walk for thirty minutes a day and find some activities or hobbies that will help you be more active. Develop your own fitness program to lose some weight quickly and tone your muscles. You can easily work out at home by doing some abs, crunches, push ups or using a jump rope. Start very slowly by working out only twice a week for thirty minutes and make your fitness program more challenging by working out more frequently and for longer periods of time.
You should establish some precise goals for your weight loss program. Do not try losing more than two pounds a week since your body needs time to get used to your new lifestyle. If you lose weight too quickly, you will probably gain these pounds again once you stop making constant efforts. Approach weight loss as a way of transforming your lifestyle and getting rid of your unhealthy habits for good. You will more than likely gain weight again if you approach weight loss as a temporary program. Take all the time you need to adopt new healthy habits and find new foods you love so you can transform your lifestyle.
You can get in shape within only a few months if you are ready to get rid of your bad habits and make some efforts to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The tips you just read will help you achieve your goals.
One of the best ways to lose weight is by taking a holistic approach to your lifestyle. Diet, exercise and healthy living all combine to help you lose weight effectively. One of the best weight loss programs on the market that takes a completely holistic approach to the subject of weight loss is the fat burning furnace by a respected weight loss guru. To find out more, read this in-depth Fat Burning Furnace Review and find out how to lose weight the easy way.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7827385

Enhancing Your Massage Experience

Having the right setting for a massage is half of the experience. When the temperature and lighting is to your taste and the comfort or the sheets and table is just right for your body type, it makes the massage experience that much more enjoyable. When the massage comes to you, either at your home office or hotel, you have the option to make it as enjoyable as possible for your massage experience. Having all the pieces in place for the best most relaxing and therapeutic massage as possible does take a little bit of thought and action.
The setting is what you are paying for at a very high class resort or spa. The ambiance the luxury the beauty of getting a world class body treatment experience one to remember. This can be an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. What makes this experience so memorable are a few key things. The mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of the massage must be addressed in order to enhance the massage experience. Adding just a few simple subtle things to the environment will bring everything together in a harmonious and balanced massage.
Adding a flowing water aspect to the massage gives your mind a steady and consistent flow of therapeutic white noise that helps put the mind at ease. Adding a water fountain to the massage environment enhances the experience a tremendous amount with just a simple stream of water. Water is the same as our Chi or life energy it flows through us, adding a water -fountain brings the natural flow to you and the therapist allowing both of you to enjoy the experience more.
Aromatherapy and essential oils are another very subtle piece to enhance the massage. Using a essential oil aromatherapy diffuser adds a light but still noticeable scent to the environment. This gives off that spa scent when we smell nice soothing pleasant scents of essential oils it makes you feel like you are in a different space. Essential oils have been used for centuries for therapeutic services. When the oils are diffused into the air you breath them in and the positive effects are felt immediately.
Adding just a few extra things that are cost effective and easy to add enhance the massage experience tremendously. Bringing the extra spa indulgence to your home, brings the spa and all the service to you. Allowing you to enjoy the experience even more.
The calming and therapeutic effect of many of the good spas around the world, have been carefully thought through and organized in a way that each of your senses is given a positive experience. Allot of the nicer hotels also create the flowing and aromatic effect that many spas use to bring the people staying there moods up. It can be used at any time, creating the flowing water and positive smelling aroma into any space makes people feel better. Remember that just a simple push of a button can create a flowing sound of water or the positive aroma of essential oils, so use it as often as you need.
The art of massage and feeling good takes a little planing and thought into the environment before making sure you have a good massage experience. Enjoying and feeling good are the most important thing.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7886138

Kettlebell Exercises - A Surefire Way to Total Body Fitness

Kettlebell exercises have only recently become very popular in the United States, though in Russia they have been a staple workout in military institutes for many years, for weight loss and to gain strength, stamina and muscle mass. Since Pavel Tsatsouline, a former special forces coach from Russia, brought the russian kettlebell, or 'Girya' by it's Russian name, to the US it's become all the rage with athletes, coaches and celebrities to increase flexibility and strength.
When comparing the russian kettle bell to some of the equipment you see in most gyms nowadays, it may look like from another time, but don't be fooled by appearances. A kettlebell workout is very intense and can give you amazing results even highly sophisticated gym equipment would be hard pressed to match. Kettle bell weights are mostly made of cast iron and look like a cannonball with a handle or a kettle, hence the name. For convenience the handles are made of rubber nowadays; much easier to grip than the original iron handles.
Most kettlebell exercises put many body parts to work at the same time, which gives you a total body workout. Some exercises using kettlebell routines target specific parts of the body and, just as with dumbbells, a wide variety of exercises and combinations exist. To reach total body conditioning you will want to do training that includes swings, cleans, windmills, presses, turkish get ups and jerks to work out the entire body.
Kettlebell exercises are excellent fat burners and put the entire nervous system to work. A highly intensive kettle bell workout in a providence gym, with a personal training program to fit your fitness needs, will whip you into shape in no time. It can leave your body exhausted in a few minutes, since the body moves freely and isn't supported by benches or machines as in regular gym exercises. For this same reason these exercises burn more calories and reduce fat faster than regular fitness training programs would. An intense workout can be done in under twenty minutes, which is great for busy people, who just don't have the time to spend hours on end in the gym.
Even though kettlebell exercises look like they require a lot of strength to execute, kettle bell weights come at different weight levels, so the exercises can be done by man and women alike, at any fitness level. Through this type of training you can improve your grace of movement and get muscles and joints to act in full motion range. Grip strength and endurance, so necessary for sports like martial arts, tennis, ball sports, rowing ad others, will greatly improve with kettlebell exercises. Even for jobs like fire fighters and police men, kettlebell workouts in a providence gym will whip them into the top shape they need to be in to do their jobs.
A word of advice though, when starting out with Russian bells you want to make sure to get the right instruction to avoid injuries. Get started in a providence gym where the personal trainer instructor is RKC # 2 certified, which means the trainer is certified particularly in Russian kettlebell exercises. That way you will be on safe ground and also get the most out of your efforts.
This article was prepared by Christina Meier on behalf of the Body Armour Fitness Kettlebell Gym, bodyarmourfitness.com. The Body Armour Fitness Kettlebell Gym is located at 1010 Plainfield Street in Johnston, Rhode Island. Stop by today to check out their facilities and to see how kettlebell exercises can get you into the best shape of your life.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4786938

Mind Body Soul Health

Hey ladies, it is important that we are taking care of ourselves and it doesn't just mean getting your hair or nails done on occasion...it means taking care of your mind, body and soul everyday.
Here are some simple things you can do to incorporate mind, body, soul health into your life on a regular basis.
Mental Health
One simple way that you can care for your mental health is reading material on subjects of interest to energize and stimulate your mind. It's important to keep learning and presenting yourself with challenging questions for further research and social inquiry.
Another why to activate your brain juices is by participating in activities that get you exploring your creativity such as writing, painting or drawing.
Emotional Health
It is so important to have healthy outlets for your emotions, unbalanced feelings bottled in can lead to physical illness.
Rather than keeping feelings of anger trapped in your body, you can scream into or pillow or use it as a punching bag. But remember that the safety of yourself and others is a priority when exploring healthy outlets for anger.
If you are sad about something, writing your feelings in a journal or sharing what's going on with a trusted friend can both be very nurturing.
Physical Health
We all know that taking care of our bodies is essential to keeping them vibrant and strong, but most people aren't committed to exercising or eating healthy on a regular basis because of the misconception that they don't have enough time, or have to make huge adjustments to their current lifestyle.
However, you don't have to spend hours each day on a boring treadmill. Things like taking a 20 minute walk on your lunch break or playing with your kids at the park (rather then simply watching them) are great ways to increase your physical activity.
To make some improvements to your diet, carry fruit, veggies or nuts in your day bag. Eating healthy, light snakes throughout the day assists with eating less and lighter during your meal times because you wont be starving.
Spiritual Health
Your spiritual health is an important part of your mind, body, soul health as well. You are not just a skin bag, you are a creative, energetic being who has a reason and purpose for existing in your human form.
Taking time out of your schedule to meditate has many benefits including mental clarity and stress reduction. Meditation will also enable you to be more in tune with your intuition....your gut feelings. You can reek the benefits of meditation with as little as 5 minutes a day.
Spending time in nature, near tress or plants or the ocean are great ways to get connected to the beautiful world that you are a part of. I often experience an overwhelming sense of gratitude when I am in nature.
Meditation and spending time in nature allows you to step outside of your individualized life circumstances and into a world that is whole perfect and complete...an experience that is both stimulating and calming.
Conclusion
Ladies we are not just a body, a mother, a wife, a business owner or staff member we are dynamic ever-evolving beings. We are better at everything we do when we take care of our mind, body, soul health.
I have a Masters Degree in Psychology and I am a dancer for a company called Critical Mass Dance Company. My life journey has provided me with many opportunities to expand my capacity for love, acceptance and compassion for myself and others. It is my full intention to share these gifts and lessons, through what I write, the words I speak and the actions I take. Go to [http://www.spiritualhealingpractices.com] to learn more.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6702990

5 Fast Hair Growth Secrets to Use to Grow Healthy Long Hair

Are there any good fast hair growth secrets? I mean secrets that will actually go a long way to help encourage the growth of your mane? It is my belief that there are and I will share a few with you
1. Ancient India had it right some five thousand years ago with the science of Arjuveda. They discovered that certain herbs used with certain oils went a long way to help the hair grow. There are good ones on the market, but very act as they are intended to act. A perfect one will be all natural and have all the herbs needed to grow. Mira hair oil is perhaps the most notable one
2. The second to encourage growth is to brush your hair with a wide tooth comb or brush. Do not brush it when it's wet and only use a comb to take tangles out. Plus don't let stress destroy your hair, learn to relax and get as much sleep as you can.
3. Hair Vitamins are another "fast hair growth secret" you will want to add vitamins to your diet especially multivitamins and prenatal ones. Vitamins sold only for hair growth like prenatal pills and hair, skin and nails pills are good choices. The fact is, you need to simply take all the vitamins that are needed for good body and hair health.
4. A healthy diet is imperative for the challenge of hair growth. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and drink plenty of water - at least 8 glasses a day. They will provide all the nutrients and minerals your mane needs to grow fast
5. Have the split ends trimmed, it won't help the hair to grow but it does keep it looking neat and longer. Also don't braid your hair too tightly or use ponytails that pull on the roots. This can result in hair loss or thinning of the hair follicle.
These 5 points are the fast hair growth secrets that I would recommend, stay true to them and in no time at all you will be growing a longer mane
If you want to discover a fast hair growth secrets used by the ancient Indians to stop hair loss and boost hair growth then you need to read more about this famous hair oil that will help grow hair out fast


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4064050

5 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health

Positive mental health is a great way to ensure you lead a long, happy and healthy life. Maintaining your mental health is easier than most people think and will have a significant impact on your everyday life.
Would you like to have more energy? What about a good night sleep? How you would like to go an entire year without catching the flu once? Achieving a positive mental health state will not guarantee these things, but it sure will help.
Here are the top 5 things you can do to help promote positive mental health in you and your children:
1. Eat Healthy. Eating fast food 3 times a week and downing a few cold ones before bed might be easier than making a home-cooked meal and more enjoyable than drinking a cold glass of water but it won't do a whole lot for your health. Eating home-cooked foods (especially fruits and vegetables) and staying away from the fast food joints will help you achieve the healthy lifestyle you desire.
2. Drink Lots of Water. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, average individuals are expected to consume at least eight glasses of water a day. And while this seems like it may be a lot, it's actually not. Eight glasses is almost equivalent to filling up your water bottle a few times between waking up and going to bed. Remember, if you work out, you will need to increase your water intake to compensate for the water you're burning off while exercising. Drinking water will detoxify your body and restore it back to a healthy state - especially after drinking coffee or alcoholic beverages.
3. Kick the Bad Habits. We've already mentioned it a few times but eliminating significant alcohol intake will have positive results on your mental health. Likewise, kicking other bad habits like smoking and drinking considerable amounts of coffee will also help keep your mental health at its best.
4. De-Stress. Stress is one of the leading causes for poor mental health. When you're stressed out, your body has to work harder to keep up and, overtime, it will take its toll on your body and your brain. Next time something stressful happens, try lighting some candles and taking a bath. If that doesn't work for you, try letting off some steam by going to the gym or going for a run. Keeping a positive frame of mind will promote positive mental health and eliminate undue stress on your brain.
5. Book Regular Check-ups. Unfortunately, you can do all of the things listed above and still suffer from mental health problems. In fact, you might have a mental illness and not even know it. Make sure you're mental health is in good condition by booking regular appointments with your doctor. He/she will be able to confirm whether you're lifestyle is healthy or identify where you may need to make some changes.
Adella Klein is dedicated to Healthy Living and wants to be the same. When she's not speaking to adults and children in her community about the importance of positive Mental Health, she's sharing her knowledge with the world by contributing to One Healthy Lifestyle.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1611931

How to Reduce Stress

Stress is a very normal, but potentially dangerous aspect of human behaviour. Stress likely evolved in humans as a response to dangerous situations, and in these cases it is an important survival mechanism. However, left unchecked, stress can have a negative impact on an individual's emotional and physical health. In fact, stress has been associated with a number of conditions including anxiety, depression, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and more. As such, it is important to effectively manage stress. Fortunately, there are many safe and natural means of reducing stress.
  1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle - One of the best and easiest ways to manage your stress levels is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy and getting regular exercise are proven methods to reduce stress and to improve your mechanisms for coping with stress. Even just 30 minutes of walking after a difficult day at the office can help you forget that day's challenges and relieve the associated stress. Moreover, eating well ensures that you have the energy and nutrients you need to feel your best so you'll be more prepared to tackle stressful situations.

  2. Practice Meditation or other Mind-Body Exercises - Focused meditation and breathing gets your mind off stressful situations and replaces them with positive thoughts and feelings. Meditation doesn't just mean sitting in a quiet room and chanting; indeed, any repetitive activity including walking, swimming, painting, or knitting has meditative properties. Ultimately, you want to focus on being relaxed and visualize yourself in a positive state. Breathing deeply will also have a calming effect so that you can relieve tension and feel calm.

  3. Avoid Stressful Stimuli - Wherever possible, you should avoid stressful stimuli. You can avoid those people who cause you stress, and you can take control of your environment. For example, if you feel stressed because your team is losing, turn off the TV and change your activity. Also, learn your limits and how to express them to people. One of the biggest mistakes people make that leads to stress is taking on more than they can handle. If you're getting slammed at work, you might not want to take responsibility for planning your family reunion. Sometimes in order to deal with your own stress, you need to learn to say no to others.

  4. Achieve a Healthy Life Balance - Life is about more than just work. Coincidentally, work is often the main source of stress for people. If you want to be truly happy and stress free, you have to find ways to achieve a healthy work-life balance. If your work requires long hours, that's fine, but try to take time for breaks during the day. A short walk in the afternoon can revitalize you and help you reduce your stress. Also, make plans to enjoy your favourite hobbies and activities during your down time so that your whole life doesn't revolve around work.

  5. Try Sound Therapy - Research today suggests that sound therapy can have powerful effects on relaxation and stress levels. Sound therapy is specifically designed to target brain areas associated with relaxation. These therapies calm the nervous system, reduce heart rate, and even improve sleep. Moreover, sound therapy is versatile so you can take it with you wherever you go; you can listen in the car, in the office, or at home before bed.
Please visit Soundhealth Products for various sound therapy products including the Serene™ Stress Buster.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7681859

Top 10 Worst Foods To Health

As people's lives get busier, concerns about food and health get put in the back burner. People would rather have food that is fast to prepare, appealing and delicious, and don't think about how these foods may affect their health. However, keeping your diet healthy is not all that difficult. Even if you can't do without certain foods in your life, at least stay away from these top ten worst foods to eat as much as possible.
1. Processed Food - Although they're extremely easy to prepare and convenient, these babies are loaded with preservatives, which can increase a person's likelihood of having cancer. A diet of processed foods will give you loads of salt and fats, but none of the nutrients that your body really needs.
2. Frozen Dinners - When you go home at night, the last thing you'd want to do is to cook a meal. Most people settle for microwaving frozen dinners as it's both cheaper and easier. These dinners are filled with artificial flavorings and preservatives so they can last longer in your fridge. They are also low in nutrients, and high in calories.
3. Potato Chips - People think that munching on these is good for their health because technically, potatoes are good for the body. However, these not only contain bad carbohydrates, they are also filled with a carcinogen called acryl amide.
4. Doughnuts - When it comes to food and health, majority of pastries raise a red alarm, but none are as deadly as the doughnut. Yes, doughnuts are extremely tasty and easy to munch on, but they are also loaded with sugar, especially the glazed variety. A large glazed doughnut on its own already contains 250-300 calories and 10-20 grams of fat.
5. Low Fat Labels - Beware of foods that say they're low fat. Most manufacturers of calorie-loaded foods often market low-fat versions of their wares so that health conscious people will be more comfortable when buying them. However, these may destroy your diet even more since you're more likely to eat more because you don't feel the guilt associated with binging on fatty foods.
6. Carbonated Drinks - Soda is delicious and it quenches one's thirst really well. However, do you know that each can of soda contain no less than 10 teaspoons of sweeteners like sugar? Since these drinks are carbonated, they also increase the likelihood of gastric pain, hyper acidity, ulcer, and even pancreatic cancer. Chugging several cans per day also puts you at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
7. Margarine - Margarine brings a plethora of food and health issues simply because they are filled with Tran's fats, which is the main culprit for bad cholesterol. A diet filled with margarine will not only pack on the pounds, it can also hurt your cardiovascular system and give you loads of health issues like hypertension and heart disease.
8. Sugar-Free Food - In the same way that low-fat labels can misguide you; sugar-free food is also extremely dangerous because you tend to eat more of these because you don't worry about the sugar content. Also, since they don't have any sugar, most companies use artificial and chemical preservatives to give flavor to these otherwise bland foods, making it dangerous to your health.
9. Liquid Meals - Manufacturers say that drinking these is equivalent to one full meal, so if you're on a diet or don't have time to eat, this will still give you the calories you need. However, there is no substitute for real food, and although these may contain calories, they don't contain the proper nutrition your body needs daily.
10. Pork Crackles - Tasty and delectable, these pork crackles are absolutely dangerous to people who are conscious about their health. Deep fried and salted fatty pig skin is filled with bad fats, salt, and should be avoided at all cost.
Now, it's not bad to have these once in a while, but if you're really meticulous about food and health, there are a lot of alternatives out there to keep you from grabbing one of these the next time you go to your favorite supermarket or restaurant. Remember, health is a worthy investment, and it all starts with what you eat.
I am always talking, reading or writing about health. I am especially interested in organic health tips. As a person I strongly believe we should take responsibility for our own health and work together with doctors and other health care professionals.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7633997

Blog Archive