Tuesday 22 March 2011

Easy Steps to Losing Weight and Living Healthily - Being Healthy and Fit

Weight loss doesn't have to be difficult and must not be done at the expense of your health. Being Healthy and Fit are two different things. There are athletes who are fit but are not healthy. Don't compromise your health by trying to undergo strenuous weight losing activities and missing out on important healthy food. Follow some simple steps below to achieve your desired weight. These steps will help you keep off the weight.
  • Have a healthy breakfast
  • Have healthy snacks
  • Drink a lot of water
  • Eat a balanced meal
  • Eat small portions of food - use small plates to help you achieve this
  • Drink green tea
  • Exercise daily - walk, run up and down the staircase, 100 star jumps a day.
  • Dance to your favourite music - I tried dancing for 5 minutes and I lost 30 calories; what do you think will happen if I dance for 30 minutes even with intervals
  • It is important to note that life is a gift and we need to cherish this gift of life by being joyful and thankful. You should enjoy the whole process of losing weight. If you have the mind of staying healthy weight loss will be easier. If one develops a mindset of staying healthy one makes healthy choices. You will reach for an apple instead of biscuit; grapes instead of peanuts; yoghurt instead of ice-cream.
Having said this, it is good to give yourself a treat once you achieve a target. Targets must be realistic and achievable. Go ahead, set realistic health and weight loss targets.
Irene loves writing articles on health, weightloss and education. She loves music and believes that music plays a vital role in our health. 

Friday 24 December 2010

Why Do You Have Excessive Dry Skin

Perhaps the most common skin problem most people experience these days is dry skin condition. The level of dryness people experience depends on the real cause of the problem.
Top Causes Of Excessively Dry Skin
1. Hormonal imbalance - Women often suffer from hormonal imbalance especially during that time of the month. Hormones have specific roles in our body. When the hormones tasked to lubricate skin tissues and cells are not produced properly by our other vital organs, our skin turns dry and damaged.
2. Extreme weathers - Most people experience dermis dryness during winter season. That is because the cold weather is slowing down the flow of fluid to the skin tissues. Moreover, the frigid weather strips away the essential moisture and lipids in skin tissues.
3. Insufficient water intake - It is common knowledge that drinking water is imperative in keeping the dermis moist and supple. If your water intake is not enough, your skin will definitely suffer.
4. Dwindling amount of hyaluronic acid - This acid is inherent in our integumentary system. It is responsible for the lubrication of collagen proteins. Certain enzymes in the body attack this acid and break it down. As a result, collagen fibers are not lubricated properly.
How Can You Fight Excessively Dry Skin?
Improving your inner health is one way of preventing and fighting this dermis problem. Make sure you increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as they are rich in vitamins and minerals that can harness dermis functions. They are also rich in water that can keep your body replenished. Drink lots of water daily to flush out harmful toxins.
Make sure you use a good hydrating product. Choose a moisturizing cream loaded with Phytessence Wakame and Manuka Honey. Phytessence Wakame is a type of Japanese sea kelp capable of preventing the decline of hyaluronic acid. It preserves healthy levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Manuka honey has humectant properties. It can mimic the moisture-retaining functions of the skin. As a result, it works for any skin type. It can keep your dermis hydrated for a longer period of time.
It also does not hurt to pamper your skin. Try using hydrating masks twice a week. Soak in a warm bubble bath infused in essential oils. Your skin will surely remain soft and supple.
Now that you know the main causes of dry skin condition, you should have no trouble preventing it from happening. Look for a natural moisturizer that can lock moisture in skin cells and tissues.
And now I would like to invite you to visit http://www.goodhealthyskin.com to find out which are the anti aging products you should use in order to achieve clearer and radiant looking skin.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BELLY DANCING

Read below Robin's story and see if that motivates you!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BELLY DANCING
If you would have told me a year ago that I would be performing on stage this week, I would have said, “Will I learn to juggle?” I never in a million years would have believed that I would be getting up in front of people to …… belly dance.
Please don’t picture me in tight clothes and wrapped around a pole. Trust me – you don’t want to do that.  Banish the sexy images from your mind. Instead, think of your grandmother and your daughter dancing together and waving brightly colored veils around. There. You have the picture.
I originally took up belly dancing on a dare. I had a back injury, and was in quite a bit of pain, and my friend said that learning to move my hips in an agile manner would help.
She was right. Belly dancing has strengthened my core muscles and has alleviated much of my back pain. My hip drops, figure eights, circles, and shimmies have utilized muscles that my back didn’t even know it had.
BELLY DANCING IS GOOD FOR ENTIRE BODY:
But belly dancing is not limited to back muscles. After my first class, I felt like I’d bench-pressed a Peterbilt. The veil work has done wonders for my arms and shoulders. I didn’t realize I was using my arms that much, until the next morning.
And belly dancing is a weight-bearing exercise, so it’s even good for your bones. It also improves flexibility of your entire body, not just your belly! It is also believed to massage your internal organs and to help with digestion. (I know, I’m starting to make it sound like the miracle dance. Maybe it is?)
BELLY DANCING HELPS IN WEIGHT LOSS:
Speaking of miracles, I’ve also lost weight since I started belly dancing. I’ve read that belly dancing can burn up to 300 calories per hour, but I am almost certain that I am burning more than that! I’ve checked my pulse, and believe me, this is cardiovascular exercise from the get-go! My dance teacher instructed us to practice for at least an hour at least six days a week. I thought she was nuts, but now, if I skip a day, I really miss it.
BELLY DANCING IS A STRESS BUSTER:
Belly dancing is an excellent way to burn off some stress. Just getting in touch with my femininity, the roots which make me strong, helps me to have a healthier self-esteem, even when no one is watching, even when I can’t do the snake arms correctly. Mentally, I just feel better. (Plus, I get to wear crazy costumes that I wouldn’t be able to in real life.)
And if I can do it, anyone can. I was too busy, too uncoordinated, too heavy, and too unwilling, and yet here I am, ready to step out on stage in a few days. I’ve belly danced with petite elderly women and angry teenagers. I’ve belly danced with hippies and republicans. This is something that all women can do. I’ve even belly danced with my son. (He’s only one – never tell him!)
HOW ABOUT SHARING YOUR STORY?
So, will you share your story with me? Have you ever tried belly dancing? If not, have I convinced you?
If you like this post and want to have top health tips, fitness tips, health care tips and fitness regime tips, you can subscribe to FREE Health n Fitness Care feed via EMAIL to get instant updates on health and fitness information.
Robin Merrill is a belly dancing writer who can usually be found writing about Jobs in Criminal Justice.
If you are interested in writing for ‘Health n Fitness Care’, please see our guest posting guidelines.

Monday 25 October 2010

Tips For Healthy Living - Little Things That Make Life Happy and Healthy

The benefits of living a healthy life are pretty obvious. It makes you stay physically active and you don't easily get sick. If you are healthy and active, you can do all the things you want to do. That's why most people are doing everything they can just to achieve a healthy life.
The most common tips for healthy living include doing regular fitness workouts, eating healthy foods, and practicing a healthy lifestyle.
For fitness workouts, you can also perform simple exercises at home or in the office if you don't have time to go to the gym. Simple activities like walking, running, swimming, or dancing are best form of exercises that can be done at home. But if you are serious about getting physically fit and if you have enough time and budget to do it, gym membership is the best option for you.
When it comes to healthy eating, nothing can be healthier than eating vegetables, fresh fruits and plenty of pure water. A healthy eating habit means avoiding heavy dinners, junk foods, and plenty of sweets and fatty foods. To avoid taking unhealthy snacks, it is advisable that you eat complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and protein-rich foods during meals. Other healthy foods that you can take are nuts like cashews, almonds, and walnuts. Drinking a cup of herbal tea instead of coffee is also a healthy option.
To practice a healthy lifestyle is about stopping unhealthy vices like smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
Other helpful tips for healthy living that you can consider include purifying the air in your own homes, taking vitamins and health supplements, and losing weight if necessary.
In addition to the several tips for healthy living mentioned above, having a healthy and safe environment is also a must in order to live a healthy life. You can make your environment healthy by knowing the right place where to put the toxic waste and chemicals.
For parents, you have an added responsibility in taking care for the wellness and healthy life of your children aside from your own physical health and well-being.
Health care is also a very important part of living a healthy life. This covers regular medical checkups and screenings. It will help you reduce your spending on health care if a health problem is treated earlier. However, if you are already sick and in need of medication, you can ask your physician on switching to cheaper yet effective alternatives.
All these tips for healthy living will only become effective if you religiously follow them with all your heart. Remember, all the benefits you will get from these are also for your own good. You are primarily responsible for your own life. If you want a healthy and active life, no one else can help you achieve it without you helping yourself first. Your doctor, gym instructor, family, friends, or neighbors can help you live a healthy life but without your personal desire and commitment to achieving it, everything else will fail. Always put in your mind that living a healthy life will lead you to living a happy, fulfilling and satisfying life.
To learn about what you can do to have a healthy life, check out these rituals to healthy living. Also check out Think Right Now, a set of programs to help you improve any area of your life by changing the way you think, feel and act.

Thursday 19 August 2010

4 Tips on Healthy Living - What You Need to Know to Get Healthy and Stay Healthy!

The United States has seen a huge increase in the number of obese people leading to an obesity epidemic. It's so bad that they even had to add a category to the popular BMI system. No longer are the largest people considered morbidly obese they are super obese! Crazy to think that there are people beyond the morbidly obese stage but they do exist and mainly in the United States. Because of our extreme obesity problems pharmaceutical companies are cashing in on "quick fix" diet pills that promise to shed pounds in weeks. Most people can vouch that most of these diet pills are ineffective and a waste of money.
Not only are diet pills in abundance but diet programs as well. There's always a new diet fad that everyone is trying. What people really need is a basic understanding of dieting and weight loss. Follow these 4 tips on healthy living:
Tip #1: Drink More Water
Water is crucial in order to maintain or lose weight. With all of the soda Americans consume, water is getting left out of the picture. Try to substitute your soda drinks for water. It is important to flush out the toxins and junk your body. Healthy living requires keeping your body hydrated and water does just that!
Tip #2: Eat More Often
What? I need to eat more not less? You need to eat more often, say every 3 hours instead of 3 times a day. Yes you need to consume less calories overall but eating more frequently will help increase your metabolism. It allows your body to remain at a healthy state that never goes into starvation mode. Breakfast is crucial for healthy living so don't skip it.
Tip #3: Get to Moving
You need to be more active - move more. Even if your physical condition doesn't allow you to exercise vigorously at least get up and walk or move your arms and legs somehow. Use the stairs when you can, go for a walk on your lunch break, go dancing, play with your kids or pets. You can make movement fun - it doesn't always have to be the dreadful jogging.
Tip #4: Understand Why
Understand why you need to start living healthy. Do you feel tired and groggy often? Do you want to fit into your old clothes? Do you want to live to see your great grandchildren graduate college? Whatever it may be you need to contemplate it on a regular basis. Thinking about the "why" is crucial to keep you motivated with your healthy living goals.
Follow these 4 tips on healthy living and you will definitely notice a difference in the quality of life. It's not hard to live healthy - it just takes dedication and will power! Think about what your goals are and why you need to change. If you are having trouble getting motivated go online and join free weight loss forums. Talk to your peers who are going through the same thing. It always helps to talk to someone who knows what you are going through. The internet is the perfect place for just that! To learn more about healthy living and to receive a free ebook, 177 Ways to Burn Calories visit www.BetterFitnessPlan.com

Monday 9 August 2010

Herbs For Hair Growth - Stop Hair Loss Naturally

Many people are looking into using herbs for hair growth as they seek natural remedies to treat hair loss. These treatments help the body's self healing functions to work towards reversing the cause of an ailment rather than just masking the symptoms. Some herbs have been very effective in helping people stimulate their strands to grow back.
Ginkgo Biloba
One of the most effective herbs for hair growth is ginkgo biloba. This herb helps to increase circulation and blood flow to the scalp, a function which stimulates the strands to grow. The blood transports nourishment to the strands, so increasing the blood flow helps to ensure the strands are getting enough nutrition in order to remain healthy.
Green Tea
Green tea is also on the list of herbs for hair growth. It contains catechins which block the enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone which forces the strands to fall out by attacking the follicles. Medical experts believe DHT causes male pattern baldness which is also known as androgenic alopecia. This condition affects both women and men.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is another one of the herbs for hair growth which targets male or female pattern baldness. It curbs the production of DHT. This allows the damaged follicles to grow hair again.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle prevents testosterone from being converted into DHT. It can be used in combination with other herbs for hair growth. It works well when it is used with saw palmetto and pygeum. Pygeum also helps slow down male pattern baldness.
Things to Keep in Mind About Herbs for Hair Growth
If you are using herb to reverse hair loss, it is important to understand that it can take a while for them to produce noticeable results. It usually takes six months to one year for the strands to start thickening.
It is very important for you to begin treatment for your hair loss as soon as you notice that your strands are thinning. This will significantly increase your chances of getting your strands to grow back. If the follicles sit there for too long without strands, the follicles will lose their ability to function and the hair loss will become permanent.
Learn more about choosing effective hair loss treatments and how to prevent baldness.

Top 10 Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be hard. It just takes the motivation to change our bad habits into good, healthy ones. Below is a list of 10 healthy lifestyle tips to get you started. Once you start, you can come up with more healthy choices that work for you.
  • The first thing is to eat a balanced diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables and get rid of the high sugar, processed foods. Along with eating better is getting the right nutrients in the system. 
  • So the second thing is to take vitamins and minerals to help your body work properly. 
  • The third tip is to quit all those nasty unhealthy habits. Smoking, drinking, drugs, chewing tobacco, whatever your vice may be quit now. You are in charge of your health and living a healthier lifestyle means getting rid of the things that may kill you. 
  • The fourth thing to do is exercise. Exercise makes you feel good and can motivate you to get other things done as well. 
  • Along with exercise, number five is making sure you see a doctor each year for an annual physical. This is more important in women, but men should be seeing a doctor every 2-3 years to make sure there are no big health concerns. 
  • The sixth is to surround yourself with a strong support network, or a group of people who will be there for you and participate in a healthy lifestyle as well. 
  • Your family and friends can help you with the seventh tip, have fun and enjoy life. 
  • Eighth tip is to create a good balance between work and play. 
  • The final two tips are to accept yourself for the unique individual you are and love what you do. If you can accept yourself, the good and the bad, it will show in all you do. Your job is something you will be doing for at least the next 20 years, so you should love it. If you don't keep looking until you find something you do love.

Start with those healthy lifestyle choices and see how you feel in the next few weeks. You should feel more energized, motivated, and positive.

If you like to change your life and discover more about healthy lifestyle for your wellbeing, start applying small changes today.