Top Ten Tips to "Beat the Heat"

Finding ways to ?beat the heat? can be about far more than just comfort, especially for those of us who have a chronic health condition. When you have multiple sclerosis for example, staying cool (or as cool as possible) over the summer can mean the difference between maintaining energy, equilibrium and perhaps even mobility and spending the season in what I call ?horizontal mode?. If you live with depression as I do, staying comfortable can mean that life goes on as normal instead of melting into a pile of lethargy and total lack of motivation.

Here are ten tips to help you stay cool when the temperature soars. Try as many as you can to lower your internal thermometer.

1.Air conditioning

Whether that means central air or a window unit, air conditioning is going to be your best friend. I have a window unit in my bedroom for maximum benefit while sleeping. If air conditioning isn?t possible, a dehumidifier and a couple of fans can help. By removing some of the humidity from the air and creating a current, the temperature will feel cooler. When all else fails, go to the mall, the library or any place that has air conditioning.

2.Keep the sun out

During the summer months, the mid-day sun is a killer. Be sure to keep the window shades drawn from around 11:00 am till at least 2:00 pm. The sun shining into the house during this period can leave the temperature much warmer in the afternoon and evening than it needs to be.

3.Sleep alone

I know, it sounds a little lonely but it?ll be much cooler than that abundance of body heat that comes with a spouse, a child, a dog or even the family cat sharing the bed with you.

4.Wear cotton

Cotton takes perspiration away from the skin leaving you drier and more comfortable. Go for light coloured cotton clothes, cotton nightwear and bedding. Cotton sheets will not only absorb night sweats, but will also permit your skin to breath, allowing you to be more comfortable and less restless. We all know that better sleep leads to more energy and a healthier attitude during the day.

5.Cool showers & baths

There?s nothing more satisfying than a cool bath or shower when your body temperature is elevated. I?ve even found that between showers running cold water over my wrists (or any other pulse point) for a few minutes at a time cools me down. When I can?t sleep at night because of the heat, I fill a pan with cold water and soak my feet. It really helps to lower the body temperature.

6.Keep exercise moderate

Exercise is so important for our general well being. I know that it?s temping to skip it entirely when it?s hot out but this can be detrimental at so many levels. The best rule of thumb would be to keep it moderate. Don?t push yourself to working up an all out sweat. Keep it at a moderate level and be sure to take a cool shower afterwards to bring your body temperature back down.

7.Try swimming

If at all possible, choose swimming as your form of exercise during the summer. Swimming is a wonderful activity because it works all the major muscle groups while maintaining a lower body temperature.

8.Seek shade

When you?re going to be outside, always sit in the shade. Even better, sit in the shade where there?s a breeze if possible.

9.Wear a hat

The sun beating down on your head has a great deal of impact on your overall body temperature. Always wear a hat when you?re out in the sun. And if you?re going to be in the sun for more than a minute or so, always wear sunscreen.

10.Try cooling clothing

There are a number of manufacturers now making the cooling vests, hats, etc. Last summer my husband even came home with some cooling bandanas. They have some form of gel crystals in them that retain cold when wet. You just run it under cold water and tie it around your head. As long as it stays wet, it stays cool ? Neat!

Trish Robichaud is a Maximum Life Coach who lives with major depression and multiple sclerosis. Her passion is helping people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability. Through the process of coaching, she takes her clients from an overwhelmed existence to a comfortably paced lifestyle. Trish facilitates TeleClasses and a monthly TeleSupport Group at no charge to participants as well as publishes a free monthly electronic newsletter. Trish is also available to facilitate workshops on ?Living Well with Chronic Illness? or ?Disability Awareness? or for motivational speaking engagements. To learn more about Trish and Changing Paces, visit her on the web at http://www.ChangingPaces.com.

Recommended Treatments for Arthritis

Fortunately there are a number of ways to treat and manage arthritic pain. There are arthritic diets, exercise programs, over-the-counter and prescription medications, relaxation and positive emotion coping techniques. In addition to surgeries, supplements, numerous home remedies, and other alternative therapies.

ARTHRITIC DIETS & NUTRITIONAL HEALING

Doctors have known for a long time that diet a specific type of arthritic condition, gout, however what is unclear are the affects on other common types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

While it is well known that dietary health is important and that being overweight can affect certain arthritic conditions, forcing joints to carry more of a load. This causes the overuse of some of your joints, especially the knees. So making sure arthritic sufferers eat god foods and get help from healthcare providers to create and follow a well-balanced dietary plan is advised.

HERBAL & OTHER NATURAL & HOME REMEDIES & SUPPLEMENTS

People have often tried traditional medications without success, and as a result seek relief through natural remedies. Also the increasing cost of prescription medication encourages many to look into alternatives as well..

A popular alternative treatment is acupuncture. Although the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can be very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are insufficient or have unacceptable side effects

Another treatment option is cayenne cream. Cayenne peppers contain an substance called capsaicin which is responsible for their spicy effect. This also causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with skin, and inhibits the body's production of substance P which is heavily involved the relaying signals of pain to the brain. Apply the cream two to three times per day for at least one week before making a decision as to whether or not the cream is helping to reduce arthritis pain.

Many other natural remedies and supplements have been found to actually reduce cartilage deterioration and even rebuild a patient's lost cartilage. Be sure that before adding any to your list you talk with your healthcare advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and may not be right for your situation. While some supplements may be fine for arthritic patients; some may not be.

The most well known and popular supplement are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin draws fluid into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight equals more joint pressure. Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body. And recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse the disease is still unclear.

Ohers include:

? Ginger ? Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.

? Glucosamine sulfate ? This builds cartilage with very few side effects.

? Magnets ? Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.

? MSM - This organic sulfur is used in the reduction of inflammation.

? Nettle leaf - Nettles can reduce a patient's need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.

? Vitamin E ? This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.

? Vitamin B is also an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well

Additionally over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems

EXERCISES FOR ALL LEVELS

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving stiffness in joints, strengthening muscles thereby reducing stress on joints, keeping bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy, and increasing flexibility. A recommended 30-minute minimum of daily activity is the norm.

Exercises that work on your range of motion, such as dance or low-impact aerobics. These can relieve stiffness and increase flexibility. Also don't forget about walking as an exercise. Walking is a great exercise that improves the arthritic condition, and carrying weights as light as one pound and using your arms as you walk can involve the whole body.

Water is an excellent aid because it provides resistance that builds muscle in the entire body while reducing shock to the joints at the same time. As the whole body tends to become involved in aquatic exercise you have the added benefit of cardiovascular exercise. Find a heated pool to work out in since warm water is soothing helps the joints and increases your blood circulation.

Another form of treatment is yoga is and pose-oriented exercises. The forms of yoga are extremely beneficial toward achieving flexibility and relaxation. Check your local activities paper or section of your local paper to see if there are any yoga classes near you.

Whatever exercise program you choose, be sure to breath properly. Breathing is important to any exercise regimen as it promotes a healthy heart rate and reduces fatigue; additionally breathing and oxygenation helps circulation, which is vital to achieving the flexibility and strength that you are trying to achieve in fighting your arthritis. Also, listen to your body.

MEDICATIONS & OTCS (OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDS)

The most common OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Use the right way, these drugs can help with pain relief, inflammation and fever reduction, and blood clot prevention. However, the misuse of some of these can cause blockage of an enzyme in the body that aids in the protection of the stomach lining and other areas.

Acetaminophen is the name of the active ingredient found in several well-known brand-name products; some Excedrin? products, Tylenol?, and Aspirin Free Anacin?. Although it does not help with arthritic inflammation and swelling, it can help with pain relief in mild cases. Use caution with dosages, however. Excess usage poses risk of liver damage, even death, especially for active drinkers (of alcoholic beverages).

Learn More and Get the Ttreatment Options You Need. Discover How you DON'T Have to 'give up and just live with pain and discomfort' find some Natural Remedies for Arthritis

Dementia Symptoms

The most common dementia type is Alzheimer?s disease and the warning signs and early symptoms of this disease can be varied. It is important to remember that as we all age it is common that our memory will decline. However, you can pick up some dementia signs if a persons behaviour begins to change and is repetitive.

Alzheimer?s disease is progressive and diagnosis should only be performed by a doctor, some warning signs include?

Memory loss

Short and long term memory can be a problem. Forgetting a common phone number, directions or how to turn on an appliance can be common and if repeated can be an early sign of Alzheimers.

Language problems

Look out for any sign of common words being replaced by descriptions. One example may be someone asking ?To turn that thing on that we watch on? when talking about the TV.

Direction problems

This one can break your heart, early signs of Alzheimers can be your loved one getting lost at the end of their street or even in their own garden as they can?t remember the way home.

Time Awareness problem

We all at times forget the day of the week etc? but another early sign of Alzheimer?s may be when the person is unable to identify the different time patterns in the day. They may have visited the local grocer at 10am every day for many years but will now visit the store at 11pm every night dressed in their best clothing forgetting that the store closes at 5pm.

Impaired judgement

Lack of understanding regarding money matters is another warning sign, they will be unable to distinguish between notes and coins value.

Also look out for clothing, if it is a hot sunny day and you have a friend or member of family who continues to wear 3 jackets to go outside or wears little clothing in cold weather then this could be another warning sign.

Misplacing things

Another warning sign that is very common, look out for items being placed in unusual places. An example may be that the cutlery is hidden away in the bedroom cupboard or money is hidden in strange places but the person is unable to remember where they have placed it.

Changes in behaviour

Their personality and behaviour can change rapidly, someone who was kind and gentle throughout their whole life may become aggressive.

A person who takes pride in their home and is always cleaning may become passive and spend many hours sitting looking into space.

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Kevin McNally offers Alzheimers articles and resources at Alzheimers disease and treatment

http://www.alzheimers-disease-and-treatment.com

The Commerce of Obesity

In an interview with Pam Killeen of Crusador, Dr. Marion Nestle, noted food expert and author of Food Politics and Safe Food, reveals some interesting facts about the marketing of junk foods that have led to the obesity epidemic, including:

• The appalling American diet may be, in part, collateral damage from having a food supply that provides 3,900 available calories for every man, woman, and child, resulting in a hypercompetitive market
• Sugary breakfast cereals, even those advertising themselves as having whole grains or added vitamins, are basically cookies
• The American Heart Association makes money by endorsing low-fat foods, even if those foods are high in fattening sugars
• American federal dietary guidelines have been overcomplicated to the point that they are basically useless

Health Lies Exposed September 11, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

You'lldefinitely want to read this insightful interview with Dr. Marion Nestle, one of this nation's leading experts in understanding the commercial influences on your nutrition. She reallyunderstandsthe commerce of obesity, meaning what processed food companies will do to sell their products at the expense of your health.

Interestingly, the interview began with an apology, of all things, from Dr. Nestle, because she felt bad about ignoring the vital link between agriculture and nutrition for far too long, which is more important than ever now with the rise in genetically modified foods.

Dr. Nestle, quite wisely, isn't fond of most processed cereals -- chock full of marshmallows, chocolate and candy as well as extra sugar and flour -- which are, as she rightly points out, Desserts in disguise. She also slammed the most recent Food Pyramid, which hasn't been much of an improvement over previous modelsand emphasized a one-size-fits-all approach. In other words, a recipe for disaster!

Just another reason to remind you, if you haven't done it already, to take your free test to determine your body's unique metabolic type.

Many of us fail to appreciate the profound influence of the quality of the soil and the specific farming techniques used and how it influences the nutritional characteristics of the foods you eat. If this is an area of interest for you, then you will certainly want to visit Acres USA,which publishes the only magazine related to sustainable agriculture.

They are the equivalent of mercola.com in the farming community and provide the most incredible information about soil health and how it ultimatelyinfluences your health. They also have some amazing live events that bring together the top people in this important field.

This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE Metabolic Type Test to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.Mercola.com right now to take this quick test!

Diet Success Is it All in the Mind?

Why do so many diets fail? In theory losing weight is easy. Simply eat slightly less than the body needs over a sustained period. Yet in reality only a small percentage of people lose weight and keep it off. And whilst it?s true that most diets would be successful if followed, many fail to acknowledge the psychological impact of weight loss. As Oprah Winfrey once famously said ?Diet?s don?t work, you?ve got to get to the reason that lies behind overeating.? She had rightly identified what many scientific studies had already indicated. By changing our mental attitude to food we can change our behaviour. Without that change in attitude there is little chance of long term success.

The Scientific Evidence

A laboratory controlled study conducted at the Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, England concluded that the effect of just food restrictive, weight loss programmes were ?surprisingly ineffective as a means of achieving sustained weight loss?. That?s because dieters seem to exhibit one of two distinct behavioural styles.

Behavioural Style One. The dieter starts full of enthusiasm only to revert to their previous eating style before reaching their desired weight. A chart that plots the fallout rates shows that 82% will lose heart in the first five weeks. Typically a specific food or event would trigger the initial break in their resolve, after which the dieter would increasingly revert to their old behaviour.

Behavioural Style Two. Between 3% and 8% of dieters would stick to their diet and achieve their desired weight. Then over time ? usually between six months and two years later 70% of this group would have gained most or all of the weight they had previously lost. This leaves only 2% of dieters with sustained, permanent weight loss.

This study is backed up by a substantial study conducted by The University of London, England. Its theme was effective and permanent weight reduction. They were evaluating the effectiveness of combining traditional diet control with positive psychology. Their findings overwhelmingly determined that by combining these techniques weight loss was much more effective and sustainable than just using a calorie controlled diet in isolation.

For permanent weight loss combine diet and positive psychology

Whilst many people can and do lose weight using a controlled diet this doesn?t address the psychological issues that surround eating patterns. For example, the act of eating produces complex ?psychological anchors?that link the process to emotions like pleasure, satisfaction, self-esteem. Break or change these anchors and losing weight becomes much easier.

Increasingly there are a number of useful courses and books that focus on this area. So if you are serious about sustained and permanent weight loss, take a tip from The University of London study and combine diet control with a change in your mental attitude. Because based on the research it seems that successful weight loss really is all in the mind.

Jim Brackin contributes tips, help and advice on popular psychology to variety of magazines like Cosomopolitan and Women's Own. Author of the No Diet Diet, he is the body language expert for Sky News (UK), and developed http://www.personaliteye.com that provides free visually based personality profiles.

Sprouting Good Health

At age 22, Colleen Allison was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Facing the possibility of undergoing painful surgery and intensive radiation treatment, she decided there had to be a better option and set out to find it.

Her search led her to Florida where she found the Hippocrates Health Institute. Here she checked herself into a three-week intensive cleansing treatment that included a sprout-filled detoxification diet.

After her stay at the institute she returned to her home in Toronto,without a trace of cancer left in her body. Since then, Allison has devoted her life to sprouting and educating others on its powerful healing properties.

In 1992 she founded Super Sprouts, a living food resource centre in downtown Toronto. Super Sprouts? services include educational programs on the healing powers of sprouts and other living foods (a living food grows until it is cooked or eaten). All sprouts, raw fruits and raw vegetables fall into this category.

?It?s (sprouting) going to transform your life, whether you want it to or not. Physically, mentally and spiritually,? says Trefor Randall, a production manager at Super Sprouts.

Why are sprouts so healthy? Sprouts are the most concentrated and natural sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids (proteins) known to man.

Some sprouts, including sunflower and wheat grass, are classified as complete food. This means they contain all the essential ingredients needed for a human to live.

When a plant is at the sprouting stage, it is at its highest possible nutritional value. Randall says this is because when a seed sprouts it unlocks all of its stored energy and nutrients. He says when sprouts are eaten, the consumer is getting the best of what the plant has to offer.

Sprouts have been popular in Asia for centuries, but have only recently gained popularity in North America. Randall says this is partly because North Americans are just starting to understand the health benefits of eating raw food.

?A revolution is happening and it?s raw,? Randall says. ?People are really getting the message.?

He says a lot of people are coming to Super Sprouts seeking a cure for their health conditions.

Maggie Mumm of Mumm?s Sprouting Seeds, a seed supplier in Saskatchewan, says she has definitely seen a rise in sprouting popularity and as a result her business is increasing.

?Business increases 25 per cent per year,? she says.

Mumm believes this is happening because people are becoming more health conscious.

She says recent research has shown that alfalfa sprouts lower cholesterol levels and broccoli sprouts have 25 per cent more phytochemicals (disease prevention plant compounds) than full-grown broccoli plants.

J.P. Davidson, an urban agriculture assistant at FoodShare in Toronto, says broccoli sprouts have a much higher nutritional value pound per pound than broccoli.

?This is because you're eating thousands of little broccoli plants,? he says.

FoodShare is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy eating through several grassroots projects. These projects include two sprouting farms.

Randall says sprouts also have an amazing ability to cleanse.

This can be seen with the sunflower and the soy plant. He says these seeds can sprout in any toxic environment and still create a pure plant. Soy beans are even used to clean soil polluted by radiation.

Davidson says sprouts are the perfect food for cities because they can be grown anywhere.

?They?re a great way of getting fresh produce, which is really nutritious and great for the environment. No pollution is created from trucking them into the city,? he says.

Randall says the beauty of sprouting is that it can be done year-round, anywhere in the world.

?Everyone is reliant on commercial food and junk food,? he says. ?People are starting to want to grow their own food.?

He says produce that has been trucked into a grocery store is already in a state of deterioration.

?Fresh is the best way to eat any produce,? he says. ?Grow it (sprouts) so your going to eat it within 12 hours. Once you cut it, it starts losing its energy, it starts deteriorating.?

Sprouts aren't entirely perfect. Davidson says E. coli and salmonella contamination in sprouts is a serious concern. Seeds become contaminated with these air-borne illnesses when manure infected with the bacteria gets into the cracks and crevices of the seeds shells.

?For safety sake you need a seed supplier who has a good reputation,? Randall says, adding that Mumm?s Sprouting Seeds is one these suppliers.

?All of our sprouts are certified organic. That means they (the seeds) are handled and stored in clean conditions and regular pathogen tests are conducted on them,? Mumm says.

At home, she advises consumers should use normal food handling procedures. This includes washing hands and keeping food preparation spaces clean.

Mumm?s, Super Sprouts and FoodShare all wash their seeds in food-grade hydrogen peroxide before sprouting.

Wanting to share her life-long passion for good food and good health, Stephanie created Hippocrates, an online journal dedicated to the healing powers of food.

You truly are what you eat, find out what foods are good for you and what foods arn't at http://hippocrates.4t.com

The Beauty of a Punch in the Face

If you have acne scars there are numerous acne scar removal procedures that can help you get your nice smooth-appearing skin back again. There is a process called dermal injection which is done by a series of injections into acne scars to raise the surface of the skin and give it a smoother look. Such fillers as fat, human collagen, bovine collagen, hyaluronic acid derivatives, and polytheyl-methacrylate microspheres with collagen are all used. When you have a dermal injection done with these materials, they do not permanently correct acne scars, so you may have to have several injections to be successful.

Another method, which is surgically done, is called punch excision which surgically corrects acne scars. It specifically focuses on ice-pick scars and deep, boxcar scars. A biopsy is taken with a punch biopsy tool, which is a round, sharp, cookie-cutter device that comes in diameters ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The size of your acne scars determines the size of the tool which is matched to the scar and includes the walls of the scar. You will have to have a local anesthetic applied when the scar is excised with the punch tool. The scar edges are sutured together, and though this procedure will produce a new scar, it eventually fades and may not be noticeable. If for some reason it continues to remain noticeable, the surface of the skin is now more amenable to further resurfacing techniques.

There is another technique called punch excision with skin graft replacement, where the scar is excised with the punch tool. However, instead of suturing the edges together, the defect is filled with a punch skin graft that is usually taken from behind the patient's ear. You may find that there will be a color and texture difference that is noticeable with this type of procedure. And as a rule after four to six weeks, a skin resurfacing technique can be applied to correct this difference in texture. With treatment, acne scars can be effectively brought under control.

By Terry Price- Remember to visit- http://www.acne-scar-removal-treatments.com/acne-treatment.html --There have been several advances made in acne rosacea laser treatment: http://www.acne-scar-removal-treatments.com/105-acne-rosacea-laser-treatment.html

6 Effective Cures for Acid Reflux through Lifestyle Changes

No matter how serious your acid reflux problem is, lifestyle changes are the best and most effective cure for you. Not only it is cost effective, the simple methods used help to improve the condition rapidly and also reduce the risk of relapse of the acid reflux symptoms. In fact, 20 percent of people with some form of acid reflux are able to see improvements through lifestyle changes. Let us look at some ways one can take to help cure acid reflux.

Smoking and acid reflux

If you are smoking, then it might be the main factor that contributes to your acid reflux symptoms. You may wish to quit smoking or reduce your smoking habit to keep acid reflux at bay.

Alcohol

Is it possible that your symptoms get worse after drinking? For people with acid reflux, their stomach is very sensitive, and alcohol can provoke the stomach to start a round of acid attack. Hence, try to drink less alcohol to avoid provoking the stomach.

Sleep

Do not lie down horizontally for the next 3 hours after a meal. This decreases the amount of food and stomach acid in your stomach and prevents acid reflux from happening when you lie down at a later time. If you want to go to bed early, then you should try to take your dinner at an early time to allow enough time for digestion. Those who eat snacks at bedtime is at higher risk of developing acid reflux.

This is only part of the article. To read the whole article on cure for acid reflux through lifestyle changes, check out my acid reflux site now!

Click for more top and latest info on natural cure for acid reflux or visit http://acid-reflux.greenhealthinformation.com

Christopher Wen is the webmaster for greenHealth information site where he provides articles, news, and remedies to current health issues we faced in our everyday life. Check out his blog at http://greenhealthinformation.com

Poor Dental Hygiene May Account for Poor Health

Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth!? General health is directly related to gum health.? Gum disease has been linked to several medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart attack and worsening lung disease. Healthy gums can reduce a person's biological age by up to 6.4 years. Why? Because studies show that the presence of periodontal diseases, most common in people with tooth loss, actually affects longevity. The best of these studies, done at Emory University in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, indicates that people with gingivitis and periodontal disease have a mortality rate that is 23% to 46% higher than those who don't. Keeping your gums clean and healthy may help reduce the risk of many illnesses, including heart disease.

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Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life. Red swollen and bleeding gums characterize gum disease in the initial stages and progresses to infections, chronic inflammation and bone loss in later stages. Eventually bacteria are allowed to flow freely through your gums and into your blood stream that activates and stresses the immune system.?

Heart Attack

Research shows that people with gum disease are 25% more likely to have a heart attack. Bacteria originating from the gums to the veins and arteries cause plaque build up and arterial inflammation that can provoke jeopardous clotting. A 12-year study conducted by Harvard University researchers and 41,000 healthy men free of cardiovascular disease showed that those with periodontal disease had more clot related strokes.

Diabetes

Periodontal disease severely affects the control of blood sugars.? The spread of bacteria through out the body through the blood stream stresses and confuses the body when trying to adjust sugars to the invasion.? Antibiotic treatment has help diabetics control blood sugars while treating the infections caused by gum disease.

Lung Infections

Breathing in oral bacteria caused by gum disease can cause lung infections. Bacteria that grow in the oral cavities can be breathed into the lungs to cause respiratory disease such as pneumonia.??

About the Author

Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years developing and improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping thousands like you heal gum disease and gingivitis. She just released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more about effective natural relief of gum disease at http://www.vitamyr.com/ or email questions/comments to Yvonne at mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com Copyright ? 2004 Vita-Myr? International Inc All rights reserved. Natural Products For Healthy Living ?

Slash Your Acne Supplement Expenses with Food

Twenty-one year old Lydia Garcia faces an imminent dilemma- poverty or acne. Lydia religiously uses three herbs to keep her skin clear and she?s always on the prowl for supplements to augment her health. Just last week she read that the Chinese herb astragalus enhances the immune system. And now, Lydia ponders, ?I think I want to take dandelion root and ginseng to ease my menstrual cramps.? Yet Lydia?s salary as a receptionist barely covers her fanatical consumption of supplements.

You don?t have to spend a fortune on supplements when food provides all the nutrients you need to have clear skin. Herbs and supplements that provide support for clean skin typically offer the following benefits:

Boost the immune system

Enhance stress management

Cleanse the blood and liver, and

Aid in skin repair

A well-chosen diet can prove just as advantageous as supplements and herbs.

Foods that boost the immune system

Vitamin C

Oranges, grapefruits, papaya, green peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli

Vitamin E

Almonds, sunflowers seeds

Zinc

Wheat germ, black-eyed peas, lean beef, crab, oysters

Foods that enhance stress management

Vitamin B6

Legumes, whole grains, chicken, pork, bananas

Foods that cleanse the blood and liver

Garlic, onions, turmeric, cayenne pepper, aloe vera juice, watermelon

Bulk-producing foods

Oatmeal, apples, oranges, bran cereals

Foods that aid in skin repair

Protein

Nonfat dairy, beans, meat, poultry, fish, nuts

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, walnuts

Selenium

Onion, garlic

Although herbs and dietary supplements offer a broad spectrum of benefits to the skin, it?s no fun looking fabulous if you can?t afford to go anywhere. So, save some cash and eat you way to clear skin.

Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include ?Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne? (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work ?Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we?re still not getting this dieting thing? (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com

The Characteristics And Goal Of Kundalini Oriented Spiritual Practices

We are all well aware of attainments based on intellectual brilliance and sharpness of the brain. An intellectual, educated person generally succeeds in his area of specialization. Thus since everyone is aware of this fact, they use up a lot of their wealth and time for educating their children. Great Indian Rishis and Yogis say that the center of this intellectual brilliance is the Brahmarandhra in the brain. It is also called the nucleus of the brain. With its aid not only does the brain state gets influenced but that the door of give and take with the subtle world is thrown wide open, akin to the bond between the earth and other planets with the sun.

The axis of the human body is said to be the Sahasrar Chakra in the Brahmarandhra (Brain area). This center not only influences the brain but decides its stature too. Further it opens the gateway of give and take with the cosmic consciousness by contacting it. Material and spiritual powers (Ridhi-Sidhi) can be attracted from this gigantic cosmos with the help of an activated Sahasrar Chakra. A tree attracts rains towards itself with its magnetic force. With its magnetic force, ore mines attract ores of its own kind towards itself and thus gets filled with it. Based on the type of magnetic force present in the Sahasrar Chakra, one can attract and collect that particular level of the invisible cosmic wealth. This very invisible attainment of one?s life creates wealth of the nature of one?s personality and that very stature. Thus it is the author of the creation of our character. This region is also the center of sense organ based knowledge and extra-sensory knowledge attained via a conscious and unconscious brain. It is from here that all spiritual practices like meditation, trance, self-reflection and Yoga of devotion etc. become more advanced so as to ultimately attain the goal. One?s Ojas (enterprise), Tejas (discrimination faculty) and Brahmavarchas (soul force) augment from this region.

Another very important sexual center is ?seed of sexual passion? dwelling in the root of the genitals that is similar to the South Pole. It is called the Mooladhar Chakra by Indian seers. Its utility and grandeur is of a very high stature. The brain is the source of knowledge and seed of sexual passion is that of capability. Soul force lies at the top and material power at the base. Emotions, thoughts, aspirations rain from above and enterprise, enthusiasm, fervour radiate from below. The upper center is the contact door of Brahma (creator) and the lower center is that of material nature or Prakriti. It is from these centers that give and take of various levels takes place.

The upper region accepts and the lower region emits. The upper region has a mouth which partake food, water etc. Via the nose we breathe in air. The ears hear sounds and eyes see objects. Thus the knowledge based wealth of the brain augments. Since the head region accepts things it is called the North Pole. Its axis is the Sahasrar Chakra.

We can directly visualize things being emitted from the lower region. It is from here that faeces, urine and sperm are emitted. Sexual passion manifests from this region and by dangling the carrot of a good feeling, it ensnares you in its net. Thus the net of marriage and children is woven. A major portion of life?s wealth is utilized for this purpose. One can directly see how the act of emission takes place in the South Pole with the help of the sexual center. Ojas (divine light) manifests in the body. If it is made more subtle and advanced, one can augment mental Tejas and soul based Varchas thus making man more enterprising. But what happens is that these divine glories on contacting the emissions of the sexual center tend to get scattered away to nought. As against this if man only observes bodily and mental sexual continence (Brahmacharya) so as to utilize this focused energy for artistic and sensitive purposes, what can he not attain? Yet because of dissipation, all this energy gets wasted. In fact he experiences hardships even for maintaining his body, hence what will be his condition if he has to make efforts for achieving higher spiritual goals?

One of the miracles of the sexual center is that man can procreate children. Although it is God who creates all creatures, yet when we see man procreating another similar human being one yearns to call him a creator. It is indeed a miracle that man begets another human being from his own body. A magician manifests new objects from his hands, bags etc., yet none of them can create a human being. This miracle can only happen with the help of the sexual center of the human body.

The sexual center does not merely manifest desire for sexual intercourse because it is known to manifest art, beauty, zest, zeal and other creative instincts too. The word ?eunuch? is thought to be an insult. From the standpoint of health such people are deemed unfit for political jobs. They cannot enter the police, army, navy etc. While carrying out Shradha and Yajna rites ?eunuch? priests are not allowed to take part in them. In a certain sense Lord Krishna has insulted Arjuna in the Bhagwad Geeta by calling him a ?eunuch?. In the spiritual arena eunuch-like qualities are dryness, despair, inactivity etc. It is the center of sexuality that is held responsible for the rise and fall of such qualities. Procreation and other creative endeavours are related to this center of sexuality. Unification of many such facts prove that from the viewpoint of material prowess and success, how important is the Mooladhar Chakra in which lies the center of sexuality. Evolutionary scientists have labeled evolutionary inspirations as ?sex? in the field of psychology. Over here ?sex? does not mean sexual intercourse but connotes zeal, bliss etc.

Mooladhar Chakra is the symbol of seed of sex and the seed of wisdom is represented by the Sahasrar Chakra. But these are extremely important centers of human existence. An important point to be noted over here is that from the anatomical science standpoint, it should not be looked upon as some special organ because all of these exist in a subtle form. No doubt one finds organs in the gross body that can be correlated to those of the subtle body. Thus a give and take relationship exists between the gross body and the subtle body. Yet both have a separate existence. On the one hand the heart is a center of blood circulation and on the other it manifests emotions like love, oneness, of soul etc. We are generally advised to meditate on the cave of the heart. This heart is not the organ of blood circulation but is a special conscious center of the subtle body. In the same way the Mooladhar and Sahasrar Chakra is not any special gross bodily organ. Yet, they may be correlated to some gross physical organ. Their importance is limited to influencing the presiding subtle energy when they are incited. In one?s spiritual practices these organs are made use of in some way or the other. They definitely help us to march ahead on the path of spiritual endeavours.

When the Kundalini or Divine Serpent Power is activated the otherwise lax relationship between the material forces and soul forces of the Mooladhar and Sahasrar Chakras are made more intense. The process of give and take between these 2 intensifies. These 2 ?lakes? are joined by the bridge called Merudand (subtle spine). It is called the royal path. It is called Mahaprayan or Devayaan. This is symbolically represented by the Pandavas ascending heaven.

Kundalini Yoga is believed to be a spiritual practice that attains material and spiritual prowess. Kundalini or Divine Serpent Power activation encompasses the union of earth, which is a bodily power of Mooladhar and the sun of the Brahmarandhra in the Sahasrar Kamal. Between the Mooladhar and Sahasrar lie 5 more Chakras (subtle plexuses). Kundalini Shakti present in the Mooladhar Chakra activates these 5 Chakras before ultimately uniting with Sahasrar. As a result all Ridhi-Sidhis (divine glories) get activated.

In order to activate the Divine Serpent Power present in the Mooladhar Chakra, various spiritual practices have to be undertaken. On the basis of various Vedic rites / rituals, spiritual seekers try to activate the 6 Chakras and raise their Divine Serpent Power upto the Sahasrar. They also take recourse to Pranayam (Yogic breathing), Pratyahar (cutting off the contact between sense organs and their objects), Dharana (one pointed focusing of mind), Dhyan (one pointed meditation) and Samadhi (trance). In all these spiritual practices it is one?s mental resolve (Sankalpa Shakti) that is made use of. With this power of resolve all those divine glories are attained which are described in Yogic texts.

The power of man?s resolve is unlimited. If it is possible to activate it and make apt use of it, one can attain the impossible.

?A creature can become a demi-god or an ascetic as per his wishes. It is man?s doership that can lead him up higher in life or create a downfall.?

-YOGA VASISHTHA

?Seven Rishis dwell in our body. They always protect the body with their pious deeds.?

-YAJURVEDA

Very few people pay heed to the fact that all divine powers are present in a latent state in man?s inner being. The sense organs of the body know only objects of the external world but they fail to experience the divine glories present in the cave of their souls. Our intellect revolves around attainments of the external world but fails miserably as far as understanding the nature, goal and true utility of life is concerned.

?The Creator created sense organs that opened in the external world (i.e. the sense organs were externalized) and hence man tends to gaze outside. He fails to study his inner soul. It is only a very are farsighted individual, who aspires for the nectar of immortality and hence goes deep within his soul.?

-KATHOPANISHAD (2/4/1)

The main leg of the high leveled Gayatri worship is the activation of the 7 Chakras. These 5 sheaths and 7 Chakras are related to one another. Both types of spiritual practices succeed together. It encompasses divine practices, worship of Rishis, all-round advancement, goal of life etc. It is also said that ?

?Gayatri is that divine energy which activates all Chakras right from Mooladhar to the Brahmarandhra.?

-TANTRA KAUMUDA

If only all the divine glories of the cosmos present in the soul are searched for and made apt use of, man can become God from a lowly creature. This research effort is called divine wisdom and the process of activation is called attainment of divine light. ?Chakra activation? is a process whereby one activates the 7 Rishis and thus one attains great benefits due to their divine might.

If we tend to emphasize only on the rites of Chakra activation and not add our power of resolve to it, our goal can never be attained. Alongwith power of resolve, a conducive atmosphere with reference to the sentimental level too will have to be created. The more one amasses earth element i.e. material wealth and sun i.e. soul or divine energy, to that extent one attains divine glories conjoined to Kundalini activation. Self-surrender is nothing but merging the limited ego into spirituality and bodily desires into soul based zest. In the spiritual arena this is called union of earth and the sun. Kundalini worship involves efforts that helps one reach this center of focus.

One fact has 2 names called weakness and narrow-mindedness. Via Kundalini or Divine Serpent Power activation, the inner fount of energy is released and one imbibes all forces of the cosmos within one?s soul. This imbibing of powers is that capacity of a spiritual seeker which helps him manifest divine glories. No doubt there is a need and utility of bodily and mental spiritual practices, yet they are fulfilled only when one?s limited ego is merged into the all-pervasive cosmic soul i.e. God. To the extent one?s surrender is apt and deep, one attains spiritual success.

Despite the fact that Kundalini power is only one, it fulfills goals of both the individual and the world in the form of consciousness and inert nature. Electricity of a power-house is of one single quality yet it manifests variedly in bulbs, heaters, coolers, ovens etc. The functions of all these have varied names and forms. The external forms of all these are so different that it is not possible to establish a relationship with one another. There is a great external difference as far as a fan rotating and a radio emitting sound. One machine is used to raise water to a higher level and another is used for melting ore. What a great difference. Yet it is one single electricity that helps in the functioning of these seemingly varied machines. In the same way Kundalini energy is one single cosmic life force full of intense power, yet it functions variedly in the inert material world and the world of consciousness.

In the world of consciousness the Divine Serpent Power functions as birth, growth, old age and death of all creatures. These activities are either visible or invisible. The light of this great power is seen as desire, wisdom, action, nature, psychic imprints etc. The activities of Kundalini energy in the world of consciousness encompasses an admixture of the 5 great elements, unification of many classes of various energies and birth of various creatures in different species based on imprints of past actions. A divine existence is the cause behind various movements on earth in the inert world and known/ unknown movements in space. As a result of these changes a lot of turbulence is induced in these areas. It is Kundalini or Divine Serpent Power that is at work as far as slow movements seen within atoms/ molecules, movements of stars and galaxies, ebb and flow of ocean waves, earthquakes, seasonal changes, ether based activities etc. is concerned. If even for a micro-second Kundalini energy stops functioning, the entire cosmos will get destroyed. Everything will turn into lifelessness, darkness and gloom. All visible / invisible names and forms will get destroyed and thus nothing worth experiencing will remain behind.

Suppose a piece of wood wishes to become a ball of fire, it will then have to give up its very existence. If a seed says I will not give up my name and form and yet desires to become a gigantic tree, it is totally impossible. Narrow mindedness has no place in the area of soul advancement. The more one is selfish and egoistic, the more hardships he faces as far as material and soul progress is concerned. Soul power does not exist but if one is selfish one fails to benefit from them. Life?s fulfillment lies in renouncing this limited ego. Without imbibing a traditional viewpoint, one can neither attain the goal of life nor can one succeed in activating one?s Divine Serpent Power.

Augmentation in the realm of spiritual consciousness means intensifying the bond between the individual (micro) and the cosmos (macro) to such an extent, that they ultimately merge into one another. A living being is in essence a part of God. A ?part? always wishes to merge into the ?whole?. As long as this goal is not fulfilled the ?part? experiences turmoil. The storehouse of water is the ocean. Clouds emanate from this ocean so as to give us rain. This rainwater collects as ponds, streams, rivers etc. and they in turn yearn to merge into the ocean. Whenever there is a slope, water tends to move in that direction. The goal of this slope and flow is to gather scattered water and transport it to the ocean. The aim of soul evolution is to speed up a living being?s desire to merge itself into God. Thus instead of being a limited, unfulfilled individual, it attains fulfillment by merging into the cosmic soul i.e. God.

But the fact remains that majority of human beings lead lowly lives. In Indian Mythology they are called sinners or the downfallen ones. They say that evolution travels upwards and demotion leads us downwards. When bodily consciousness dwelling in the Mooladhar Chakra wishes to move upwards, it leads towards the Sahasrar Chakra. Soul advancement is nothing but the transformation of the seed of sexual passion into the seed of wisdom.

Soul advancement encompasses many paths. Every effort that renounces individual selfishness is of this high stature. Soul progress means imbibing high ideals in one?s thinking, scheme of things and daily activities. Kundalini or Divine Serpent Power activation is a very scientific spiritual practice. It has its basis in science of the body and mind. Both the material and spiritual elements have an equal position in it.

Ordinarily a living being is immersed in body consciousness i.e. it intensely identifies with its body. This has been depicted as Kundalini coiled around a Linga like a great serpentess with 3 ? rounds. Its mouth faces downwards and emits venom. This Linga is attracted to the material world. A living being is this great serpentess. As far as soul wisdom is concerned, it has no clue about it. It neither is aware of its true nature nor the goal of life. Having drunk the wine of delusion, it lies latent under the influence of spiritual ignorance. The 3 rounds represent desires, yearnings and ego. In between occasionally the thought of soul advancement too manifests. None can totally ignore the innermost voice of the soul. It will always demand attention despite the fact that at every step it is unheard. This is the ? round that is added to the 3 rounds of Kundalini or great serpentess coiled around the Linga. The mouth of Kundalini faces downwards which means it is in a fallen state. Our lowly desires and activities never allow our spiritual advancement. Our powers get demeaned and hence we remain fallen. Sperm ejaculation and other activities always create our downfall. Their dire results are like poison. It is apt that the fallen state of a creature is depicted as a sleeping serpentess. Our existence in this world is as fallen as a sleeping serpentess. Our creation is like poison. Our activities are like sowing seeds of venom that manifest more venom. Our state is that of a fallen man who has drunk the wine of delusion.

When Kundalini awakens it leaves its latent state. It starts uncoiling / unwinding. It stands upright. It starts moving upwards along the Merudand (subtle spine). Instead of foul venom, its mouth now emits fragrance of nectar. This depicts our soul progress. Kundalini which rises up the Merudand ultimately unites with the great serpent in the Sahasrar. This has been depicted as the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Sati went to her father?s place without Shiva?s consent and then she angrily gave up her body in the fire of Yoga. This is akin to a living being ignoring God and leading a downfallen life. Later the situation, changes. Sati is re-born as Parvati. Parvati performs austerities and then marries Lord Shiva. This is akin to a living being performing penance to purify his mind and thus ultimately unites with God.

AUTHOR: Shriram Sharma Acharya, founder of the International Gayatri Family, was a great Yogi, seer and incarnation of God who wrote volumes of scientific literature mainly on spiritual subjects for world welfare and peace.

For more scientific e-books visit: http://www.shriramsharma.com/

DESCRIPTION: Three free e-books on Indian Gayatri Science, Kundalini Yoga & Biography correlated to Neurosciences-ESP, Endocrinology, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology & Sociology for 1) material & spiritual prosperity & 2) uniting the world peacefully as one family. Ours is a strictly non-commercial website which aims at realizing the age old dream of great leaders and thinkers of the world viz. ?A beautiful borderless world.?

KEYWORDS: Kundalini Yoga Gayatri e-book biography Guru world peace mind psyche god nerve subtle consciousness soul divine trance endocrine glands ESP Chakras plexus meditation concentration intellect prophecy thought thinking Cheiro Nostradamus Aurobindo bliss brain Vedas solar sun energy sacred pure sense organs Prana Avatar Upanishad light cell hypothalamus pituitary

The Value Of The Mineral Selenium To Overall Health

In recent years, the value of the trace mineral selenium to overall health and well being has come to light. Many vital health benefits have come to be associated with maintaining sufficient levels of selenium in the body and recent study indicates that this mineral can play an important role in protecting the body from serious disease and illness.

Selenium is especially important in the body?s ongoing battle against free radical damage. In the body, selenium is the source of selenoproteins. Selenoproteins are essential anti-oxidant enzymes that plays an important part in protecting the cells from the damage that unchecked free radicals can do. Some research has associated free radicals with certain types of heart disease and cancers.

In addition to their important role in the control of free radical damage, selenoproteins also serve to strengthen the body?s natural immune system and also helps to produce anti-bodies. For the thyroid to perform at its best, selenium level at the body should be at the proper levels. The thyroid is responsible for many aspects of health including the body?s metabolism. It has also been found out in some studies that this mineral is effective in acne treatment and some also indicates that it may be useful in repairing chromosome damage. It is thought to counteract heavy metals and other contaminants that find their way into the body, as well as to help in the prevention of unwanted and dangerous blood clots.

Deficiency in selenium can have a variety of significant health consequences. Indeed, researchers have found three debilitating diseases that are directly related to serious selenium deficiency. These include Myxedematous Endemic Cretinism which leaves the victim severely and irreversibly mentally retarded, Keshan Disease which leaves selenium deficient children with an enlarged heart that often does not function properly, and Kashin-Beck Disease which causes osteoarthropathy, an illness that causes the clubbing of the digits of the hands and feet plus enlargement of the extremities.

The amount of selenium provided by plant sources depends a good deal on the quality of the soil the plants were grown in. Thus, poor soil will yield plants that may not provide the expected levels of this important mineral. That means that those who follow a vegetarian diet, particularly a vegan diet which uses no animal products whatsoever, must be especially vigilant in making sure that they get enough selenium in their daily diets. A dietary supplement that contains selenium is a safe and sure means of seeing to it that the diet is not lacking in this important nutrient.

Selenium is a trace mineral which means that the body needs relatively small amounts of it. In the same way that too little intake of these mineral can cause serious health problems, taking too much selenium can also cause health problems. Large amounts can be toxic and can lead to a disease called selenosis. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upsets, hair loss, white blotchy nails, and mild nerve damage. It is therefore necessary to keep selenium supplements, like any other dietary supplement or medication, kept well out of the reach of children at all times.

Dietary supplements have an important job in overall health and well being but they must be treated with the respect that their powerful properties demand. Always take supplements according to the accepted dosage recommendations unless you have specific and personalized alternative dosage instructions from a qualified health care provider.

------------------------- Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes. -------------------------

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

9 MustHave Running Gear

Nowadays, there are gazillions of running gear. What we don?t know is how to choose the correct running gear for activities and when to properly use it. Choosing what you want to wear relies heavily on your personality. It doesn?t have to be expensive or specific though it?s best to have an idea to set apart what you need from what you want and to associate it accordingly to the correct timing and weather conditions. The list shows what you must have during a run.

Running Gear #1 - Shoes; the main purpose of wearing running shoes is to protect you from serious joint injury. The impact derived from running has a triple force effect to your body, that?s why shoes are made with shock materials and cushion to protect your legs that can lead to injuries and others. Choose a pair that fits your feet comfortably, the surface you?ll be running on and the needed support of your feet structure.

Running Gear #2 - Shorts or pants; it could still be of any color and style but the most comfortable type would be of nylon made material called Supplex. It minimizes rubbing and it?s also considered a wicking material to prevent chafing and friction.

Running Gear #3 - Sports bra for women; It is recommended for women to always wear a chest support. A well-fitting sports bra with the right size prevents breast movement especially in running since there?s a lot of impacted force from your feet to your legs. If not, serious damage to the ligaments on the breast may cause sagging permanently.

Running Gear #4 - Socks and your running shoes must always be a pair. Although many foot socks are out today, it?s most comforting to use the type that keeps your feet dry and supported. Find a double layer socks to prevent friction that leads to blisters. There are also those that are cushioned around the heel and ball.

Running Gear #5 - Sunglasses; a run on a sunny day increases your exposure to harmful rays of the sun. It?s advisable to run in the shade. Also, if direct sunlight exposure can?t be avoided, wear a sunglass to filter UVA and UVB rays.

Running Gear #6 - Caps or sunvisors; similar to sunglasses, it?s advisable to wear a cap or sunvisor whenever you?re out running on a sunny day. It prevents your skin from being exposed to direct heat of the sun and harmful UV rays.

Running Gear #7 - Jacket or during the cold weather, it?s always a must to wear a jacket to prevent chills or possible frostbite. Don?t expose any skin out in the cold. For facial features such as the nose and lips, dab on petroleum jelly for protection.

Running Gear #8 - Heat and Cold Gear; specifically called UnderArmour? gears to prevent both increasing and decreasing body temperatures. Wear a Heat Gear to keep you extremely dry while the Cold Gear glove for example, is best during the cold season.

Running Gear #9 - Reflective gear; it?s not recommended to run at night, dawn or dusk. If it can?t be avoided, wear a reflective material.

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How To Treat Candida

Candida is naturally occurring yeast found in the body and its overgrowth has been found to be a frequent complication or even a causative factor in many of today?s illnesses. Treatment is available and isn?t as complicated as you may think.

Yeast is normally found in the mouth, throat, intestines and genitourinary tract. When friendly bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are not present, balance of the system may be lost and Candida overgrowth may occur.

Someone with an overgrowth of yeast can experience any number of unpleasant symptoms such as a yeast infection, fatigue, rash, depression and anxiety. The symptoms of Candida overgrowth are frequently treated with anti-fungal remedies. Even with these remedies, however, if your diet is not changed to create an environment within the body to prohibit the overgrowth of Candida, relief is sure to be temporary, and problem symptoms will return.

Once you have established that you have a yeast infection there are a variety of dietary changes that you can make to improve your health. Refined sugar should be eliminated from your diet entirely as it encourages the growth of yeast. Don?t eat fruit ? or drink fruit juices - as they contain natural sugars that promote the growth of yeast. Don?t drink beer, wine or liquor as the alcohol also provides sugar, and many of these products are fermented with yeast. Bagels, muffins, pastries, breads and crackers should also be eliminated from the diet as they contain yeast and sugar. Anything with vinegar ? which is made with yeast culture ? should be avoided as well. Mushrooms should be avoided as should peanuts and peanut butter, cheeses, and meats that are dried, smoked or pickled. Beverages that should be avoided are fermented drinks such as root beer and cider, black tea, and coffee, including decaffeinated.

Both herbal remedies and prescribed medications can be helpful in treating a yeast infection. Increasing your intake of raw garlic and soluble fiber will help your body to fight the yeast infection. A supplemental dose of acidophilus will help to make your intestinal track more acidic which helps to kill off the Candida. Other recommended supplements include volatile oils, such as peppermint oil or oregano oil in capsule form as the straight liquid may be toxic, tea tree oil and olive leaf extract. Check with your herbalist as to dose, mode of use and formulations. For antifungal remedies not available over the counter check with your doctor about side effects, costs and availability.

Early in the treatment many people notice a worsening of their symptoms. When the Candida is killed it releases proteins and toxins. This process is known as die-off and is temporary. With strict adherence to the diet, and treatment regime the patient will usually begin to notice improvements in two to four weeks.

Keeping your immune system, ?friendly? bacteria, and Candida in proper balance is possible with a combination of proactive changes; by altering your current diet, and with the responsible use of medicinal or herbal treatments you can maintain a healthy body.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.candidarelief.com. For more information about a candida diet, visit http://www.candidarelief.com/candidadiet/.

Weight Loss NOW! The Soft Drink Diet

In the early nineties doctors were beginning to see the growing trend in American?s waistlines. So for a very short period of time they came out on the offense by promoting better foods to eat. An easy one was endorsing pasta meals. What they failed to mention was the best time to eat pasta and what other things to not eat with it. Thus, fifteen years later, you are twenty percent fatter, and more confused than ever. Pasta by itself is not necessarily the problem, but combine that with soft drinks or wine, then you have the Venus fly trap.

Remember years ago, the sticky strip you hung out in your back yard. Flies would fly by and stick to the strap. Well, that is what soft drinks do in your system. While you may be eating half way descent food groups (not to mention your portions) the sugar drinks act as the sticky fly trap. This hinders the digestive process.

In plain English: the longer the food stays in your system the more of a chance you have of getting fatter. The soft drinks act as barriers. In many cases when it comes to weight loss, the food combinations really get you. The biggest no-no is starchy foods with sugary foods.

If you have wine, cut down on the breads.

If you have pasta?s cut down on the wines.

If you have soft drinks, cut back on the starchy complex foods.

No matter the combination, combining pasta meals with sugary drinks is eating you up from the inside out. If you want to lose a few pounds, lose a few ounces of soft drinks in your daily diet.

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Acne Treatment Tips That Actually Save Your Skin!

When it comes to skin health, it seems that clean is no longer enough. Now, it has to be acne-free. Most people do not know that acne is commonly caused by extreme build-up of dirt and oil in the skin.

Skin acne caused by different factors is a common problem most people have to deal with at one time or another. Once it gets into your skin, various problems occur including psychological and emotional problems.

Banish them fast and permanently with the latest innovation and techniques from the skin experts. Here is a checklist of what you need to do in order to eradicate that stubborn acne out of your face:

1. Get rid of the oils

Most career women are too tired to get their makeup off their face before going to sleep. What they usually do is to use some makeup remover and head to bed instantly. This is one of the most common factors that trigger the build up of acne in the face.

Keep in mind that makeup can bring about acne, especially if they are loaded with oils. If you have the propensity to acquire acne, it would be better to keep away from all makeup products that contain any kind of oil. It would be better if you will use oil-free facial products and other skin products.

2. Be wary on the hairsprays

Hair products can have a plugging effect on your skin so that you develop pimples along your hairline. To prevent that, use as little spray as possible and protect when you do use it. Put a towel over your face and then spray.

3. Beware the cooks hazard

As occupational hazards go, it is not on a par with riveting girders on the 89th story of a skyscraper or removing deadly asbestos from old school buildings. But even so, restaurant-caused acne is a face-threatening hazard.

If you work in a restaurant, the oil and grease coming off the French-fry maker and the frying pan can clog the skin and cause acne.

Hence, the best way to do away with oil is to wash your face with a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution before you set off to work. Then gently wash your skin every two to three hours with a non-drying, mild soap or a cleansing lotion while working at the restaurant. This will prevent restaurant acne.

4. Adopt a summer cleansing schedule

Summers heat and humidity invite flare-ups of acne. People sweat a lot more, and that seems to clog up the pores. But even though you should try to cleanse your skin a little bit more often in the summer, do not wash too much. Typically, clean twice a day, unless you are getting hot and sweaty. By then, a third time is just fine.

5. Throw in the towel and the pillowcase

People should change their towels and pillowcases more frequently, say, a few times a week will do. That helps keep blemish-causing bacteria off your face.

Keep in mind that acne can be avoided. The fast-paced lifestyle of most people today, especially women, has undeniably contributed a lot of reasons to develop acne.

Hence, the only solution to these problems is to find the best way to maintain the health and vigor of the skin amidst the busy and hectic schedules.

Hanif Khaki is the widely respected author of numerous health related articles including many on acne treatment He is also the founder of the popular acne resource site http://www.acnecure.expert-health.com

Holidays Can Produce Depression

There is another reason why people suffer from depression at this time of year. It has to do with loneliness. When people feel lonely at this time of year they get quite sad, and if you are already suffering from symptoms of depression, this can jack your symptoms up a few notches. But there are a few things that you can do to keep from being alone at this time.

The first is to get together with other friends who are not spending the holiday with their families. If you live far from your family and you have other people who are in the same boat, get together and have a holiday party for yourselves. Become each other?s surrogate family and keep each other company. You will be entertaining yourselves, and you might even have a better time than if you were with your real family.

Another idea is to volunteer. There are senior centers and homeless shelters that are always looking for volunteers, but because of the cold and extra donations around this time of year, they are looking for more volunteers to help serve food. This will allow you to help prepare food if you enjoy that activity, and it will allow you to be around people who are grateful to see you and are grateful for your assistance. This will leave you with a good feeling and a great memory for the holiday.

Learn to alleviate your depression at http://www.curemydepression.com

Ergonomics in the Workplace Do They Work?

One of the major solutions that have evolved to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and other such injuries caused by constant workplace repetition is ergonomics, and ergonomic products. These two things are combinations of exercises, stretches and specialized equipment that help to prevent, and lessen the pain of, severe injuries, the most commonly known of which is carpal tunnel syndrome. This article is an overview of some of the products, and possibilities, that are opened to create a more successful business, one that incorporates a healthier work environment for its workers.

While at first many companies were hesitant (to say the least) about the concept of using ergonomic products to treat and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, nowadays there is actually much less resistance, because time has shown that many times the companies that took a risk and brought in the ergonomic products and procedures to their employees has actually paid off for them! The introduction of ergonomic products has reduced injuries, which in turn results in more efficient and productive workers. This also, as another positive result, led to lower operating costs. Some of the changes appeared quite minor, but led to huge results. For example, redesigning check stands to reduce ergonomic risk factors such as twisting or extended reaching can improve cashier effectiveness and productivity.

There are many OSHA guidelines that outline what types of jobs need to be most strongly considering ergonomic equipment and programs, and such lists can be easily located from the OSHA web site. As the success of ergonomics became obvious, more and more companies have jumped into the game to provide quality products for the employees of those industries. These aren't just cheap gimmicks, either. A lot of money has been invested by the government and associated companies to find the most effective way to ergonomically attack carpal tunnel syndrome. The reason they can have such fierce competition is that other companies that need ergonomic equipment know that the right equipment decreases injuries and that f ewer injuries means higher morale, less sick time, and less overtime (for the people filling in for injured workers); reduce employee turnover, and encourage employees to stay for longer periods of time, even for entire careers. This isn't even taking into consideration how much happier and healthier employees improve customer service, thereby improving the number of customers who will keep coming back.

There is a wide variety of ergonomic equipment that includes, but is not limited to, c hairs, computer desks, special keyboards, mice, office chairs, office furniture, seating, software programs, stretch and exercise systems and customized workstations. To finish this article, here is a list of some of the most common ergonomic equipment and a brief overview of how it helps affect the work place.

Keyboard Trays: These are used t o adjust the height and angle of a keyboard in order to fit the person or allow posture change.

Wrist Rests: One of the most common, most important, and most effective ergonomic products. These help prevent the wrist from dropping (bending back) while keying during keying pauses, or while using the mouse. This is the worst habit that can lead to carpal syndrome in an office worker. These also help to take a little bit of weight off the shoulders and reduce shoulder muscle work to soften the surface under the wrist

Mouse Support Trays: Reduces reaching by keeping a mouse near the keyboard, if a keyboard tray is used.

Forearm Supports: To support the arms. Helps prevent the wrist from dropping while using the keyboard. They also help to avoid pressure under the wrist or elbow that may occur with wrist rests or chair armrests.

Alternative Keyboards and Alternatives to Mice: These emphasize the use of different muscles in the upper extremity.

Height-adjustable tables and work surfaces: These are pretty self-explanatory. Someone who is seven foot two is going to have much different needs than someone who is four foot ten. Helps adjust for posture regardless of who is using the work area.

Monitor arms: These help to free up work surface under the monitor. This also allows for the forward and back or sometimes up and down movement of the monitor to accompany posture changes or fit different employees. They can even be used to store keyboards when not in use

Adjustable seating: Allows for different posture and different sized workers to still both comfortably use the same area.

Stretch Break Software: Times employees to take breaks throughout the day and rest overworked muscles.

Stretch and Exercise Programs: Active exercise and stretch programs increase circulation and decrease muscle imbalances, the main cause of compression syndromes like carpal tunnel.

The use of these ergonomic products will help prevent injuries, keep worker morale up, and keep a business where it should be: going forward without a hitch.

Jeff P. Anliker, LMT and BSI Staff - Includes Therapists, Inventors and Researchers that work together to provide information to Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world for the treatment of muscle imbalances affecting the upper extremity. Balance Systems, Inc.

The Basics of Setting Your Fitness Goals to Lead Your Healthiest Life

Are you a goal oriented person? If you are, then you probably know that all successful people in life know the basics of setting and achieving their goals. If you want to achieve a healthy life, then setting fitness goals should be no different than anything else you do.

Setting fitness goals gives you motivation and drives you for the short or long term success. Goal setting helps you obtain the knowledge necessary to achieve. If you plan and organize your time to exercise and eat the right meals, you?ll get the best out of your efforts.

Setting clearly defined fitness goals will also measure progress and provide accountability. Holding yourself accountable will help you through the challenging days (such as ordering pizza at work). Your self-confidence will sky rocket as you learn more about your capabilities.

The first thing you need to do when setting fitness goals is to have a vision of where you want to be a month from now or a year from now. Your vision of yourself must be clearly defined. For example, a good short term goal would be ?I want to lose 8 lbs in one month?. Then break down your goal into smaller targets so you can easily hold yourself accountable to complete it.

When using this weight loss example: you want to set weekly goals for that month to lose 2 lbs a week. Then write down the steps necessary to lose 2 lbs a week. Use these steps as your plan to success.

Having a good attitude has a big impact on setting and achieving your goals. You must be realistic with yourself and think about anything that would hold you back from loosing weight.

Realize any behavior challenges you may have ahead of time. It will give you a mindset to attack any issues you may encounter during your path to success. For example, if you love go out to eat with co workers, try to plan your order ahead of time so you eat clean and healthy for that meal.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is for the most part dependent on your time management skills. Most people fail because they often have bad time management skills and lack of persistence. Planning your work outs and meals ahead of time will decide success or failure.

Your family should never be left out of your plans. Do not to put your family aside. If you plan your workouts during family obligations you are setting yourself up for failure. Find out what time blocks you can control (such as waking up earlier) and use that time to plan your work outs.

I?m sure someone said, ?A life filled with work really stinks?, or something like that, is very true. Take advantage of life?s pleasures: set up a cheat day once a week to eat what ever you want. Having a day with no rules provides the mental break needed to continue with your fitness objectives.

Create a fitness-to-do list for the day. Write down at least three things you want to do that will help you continue your new fitness lifestyle. This will help you set the tone for the day. In my opinion writing down your fitness objectives provides a mental agreement with yourself to complete those objectives.

Once you learn the basics of setting your fitness goals, you will be able to effectively lead a life of health and fitness. It will be more realistic to you and you?ll soon be an expert on achieving your goal of leading a healthy life filled with a new found energy that you will love.

To really learn on how to create your fitness goals and achieve them, read our review of the burn the fat feed the muscle e book at http://www.addfitness.com. The burn the fat feed the muscle book will provide the no frills physical fitness information you will need.

Choose The Right Hair Product For You Or Pay The Price

Choosing the right hair product for your particular hair style and texture can be confusing, especially with all of the hair care product advertisements we are bombarded with on a daily basis. With each commercial, each glossy ad, and each retail display case, companies do their best to convince us that their hair product has just what it takes to take our Medusa locks and turn them into tresses fit for the runway. But can they really do all that they promise? And how do you know which ones are worth investing in and which ones belong in the recycling bin?

Granted, hair products can do wonders when it comes to making your do look the best that it can. But you need to choose the right products or you else you may find yourself rinsing your money right down the drain with your latest expensive hair care product.

Must have hair products

Depending on your hair type, there are several hair products that are essential for everyone.

First, you need a good shampoo that is tailored to your specific hair type. While you don't have to spend a lot of money here, make sure to choose a hair product that contains no waxy substances. Waxy substances are used in many of the over-counter hair care products on the market today. If you are unsure which ones contain wax, stick with a professional shampoo. Truly professional shampoos can be found in salons only.

Next, you will need a professional conditioning hair product. If you need to cut costs by purchasing an over-the-counter hair care product, do it with the shampoo, not with your conditioner. Yes, you may spend a few extra dollars, but your hair will thank you for it. Make sure that your conditioner is tailored to your specific hair type. For example: If you have chemically damaged hair, choose a hair product that repairs and strengthens damaged hair.

Lastly, you will need various styling hair products. The ones you choose will depend largely on your style. A good rule of thumb to follow is this: use mousse for light, carefree and blow-dried styles; gel for curly and wet-looking styles; and pomade for textured, funky and spiked styles. A hair spray with the desired hold should be used to finish off each style.

Expensive verses inexpensive hair care products

I'm a firm believer in that you get what you pay for, but that line seems to get blurred when dealing with professional hair products. Most people believe that when they buy hair products from salons that they are going to end up paying a great deal of money for something that they can pick up in the corner drug store for half the price. But this is not the case.

The main differences between professional and non-professional hair care products are in the quality of the products, not the pricing. I have seen high-quality professional hair products sell for as little as $5 a bottle, the same price that you would pay for many non-professional products. So, you can get a great deal on professional products. The bottom line is that no matter what the price, professional is better.

Now, are high-priced professional hair products better than the inexpensive ones? The answer is surprisingly no. While some professional lines may have individual products that are perfect for your hair and well worth the high price tag, most professional hair care product lines, even the inexpensive ones, have everything that you would ever need to make your hair gorgeous.

So, stop looking at the price tag and glamorous ads and start looking at the back of the bottle to find out what hair products are perfect for you. And if in doubt, ask your stylist.

Michael Barrows' website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit http://www.great-hairstyles.com

Core Training Basics Secrets to Strength and Stability

Core training is the latest rage in the fitness industry, but not many people really understand what it is. There are many misconceptions about what it is and how it works. People know that core training is smarter training, but they may not realize why that is. Core training represents a more balanced and realistic approach to health. For a very long time, the fitness industry was completely focused on working muscles in isolation. More recently, there has been a realization that we were not born to isolate. Our bodies do not work with one isolated muscle doing all the work. Everything in the body is beautifully orchestrated to work together. People have evolved into wanting their body to function better in their sport activities and in everyday life.

Core training makes you look better as well as function more efficiently. The structural center of movement is called the pillar, and by training the core or pillar you change posturally for the better. You will walk taller in your newly integrated body and have a leaner more athletic look. A completely new sculpting of the body occurs which is impossible when the muscles are trained in isolation. Despite the notion that core training is just about the lower back and the abdominals, it really incorporates your entire torso and the muscles that attach to your pelvis. The pillar includes hip, shoulder and trunk stability offering the ability to build power in your movements.

In core training you focus on multi-dimensional ?power? moves calling upon many muscles to work together for maximum training benefit. Many training programs are based on the one-dimensional movements of bodybuilding. There is plenty of pushing and pulling, but rarely are the hips, torso, pelvis or lower back integrated into the movements. You may gain strength, but not the power - the ability to generate force behind your movements. For example, bodybuilders can lift heavy weights, but they cannot generate much force with a tennis racket. This is because they don't work the small muscles that support their hips, torso, shoulders and back, and they tend to have little flexibility. You have got to train movements, not just body parts.

It is impossible to move your limbs efficiently and with force if they are not attached to something solid and stable. You can train the strongest abdominals and low back, but if your shoulders round forward like most computer-jockeys you can still have shoulder problems or poor, inefficient posture. Less than ideal hip stability will tighten the IT (iliotibial) band and strain the lower back and knees when you run. This sets up the conditions for pain and possible injury.

One of the best tests to determine the strength of your core is the simple glute bridge. There are some people who can squat 500 pounds, but cannot maintain a glute bridge for five seconds. Lie face-up with your knees bent at 90 degrees and your heels on the floor, toes lifted, arms straight out at about 45 degrees from torso, arms and palms flat on the floor. With the navel drawn in, lift your hips. Only hands, arms, shoulders, head and heels should remain on the floor. If you can't hold a straight line between your knees and shoulders for 30 seconds, your core is not working well. Time to get to the core of things!

? 2005 Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga instructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia. Co-owner and Programming Director of the Lexington Fitness Center during the 1990's, Karen has trained group fitness instructors and taught fitness and dance at the college level. She continues to train and coach select clients and groups. Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality so they can fully express their talent and abilities in the world. She incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide spectrum of clients. Karen provides seminars, workshops and individual coaching and training internationally.

For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com

Help for Asthma Patients

Asthma is a condition in which the airways are constricted, leading to wheezing and difficulty in breathing. The airways in the lungs known as bronchial tubes become inflamed and swollen, blocking the air passage. It is not known precisely why the airways get constricted in certain persons. Symptoms can range from mild and occasional wheezing to severe wheezing and breathlessness. Asthma can attack any person at any age. If you are an asthmatic patient, there are a number of factors that can make your symptoms worse. These include infections, pollens, molds, cold or humid air, vigorous exercise, smoking including passive smoking, stress and becoming emotional, dust, and allergy to specific foods, medicines, or animals.

Diagnosing Asthma

In most cases your doctor can easily diagnose the disease from typical symptoms. Sometimes the diagnosis is not so straightforward, or you may need to confirm the diagnosis. In these cases, two simple tests are performed. These tests involve breathing into a measuring device that can measure the quantity and rate of airflow from your lungs. A peak flow meter is a common device used for this purpose. This device measures the maximum speed of air that you can blow. This indicates the peak flow and is characterized by low and variable values in asthma patients. If over a period of a few days, the person records low values of peak flows, which are variable, asthma could be suspected.

Treatments

The first thing that you should know about asthma is that it cannot be cured. However the symptoms caused by asthma can be relieved by avoiding the triggers that cause asthma and by taking medication.

The most common treatment for asthma involves the use of inhalers. Inhalers deliver a small quantity of the medicine directly into the air passage and relieve the blockage. Inhalers can be taken to get relief from the problem as and when it occurs or can be taken as a preventive medicine every day to prevent the occurrence of asthma. Relieving inhalers are fine if you have a problem once in a while, but if you have to take them regularly, say more than three or four times in a week, then it is better that you go in for the preventive inhaler. Preventive inhalers usually contain steroids that can reduce the inflammation in the airways. Sometimes the symptoms may not be controlled by steroids alone. In such cases a longer acting medicine that functions like a relieving inhaler may be prescribed in addition to steroids.

In a few cases, where the inhalers alone are not effective in controlling the problem additional medicines in the form of tablets or liquids may be prescribed.

It is advisable to have preventive treatment if the asthma typically occurs during or after exercise. In this case the affected person should take a preventive inhaler before the exercise. Dosage may also be increased when the person has a cough or cold.

Ways to help yourself

If you are suffering from asthma, there are a few simple precautions that you should take. Proper use of the in halers is vital to getting relief. Make sure you know how to use your inhaler and are using it properly. If you are in doubt see your doctor for help. If the symptoms are not fully controlled with the treatment, you should consult your doctor. If severity of the attack increases at any point, see you doctor immediately.

Various resources are available to help you cope with asthma. These include reading resources, resource directories and help groups. You can find out the resources that are available in your area or on the Internet.

John Henderson is a natural health practitioner and author of several articles on arthritis Site.

How To Maximize Bodyweight Exercises With the Training Evolution

It?s a familiar story. You?ve been doing a bodyweight exercise routine, or even weight training, and you?ve peaked and can?t seem to make any more gains. Now you?re bored with the routine and thinking of doing what most do when faced with this dilemma, quitting.

Before you do that, let me introduce you to the secrets of the training evolution, and how you can use it to make incredible gains in your training.

Nearly all traditional exercise is one-dimensional, this is true for bodyweight exercises as well as weight training. Even in an exercise that appears to have a lot of movement, you?re rooted to the ground in a stable atmosphere, such as the pushup.

With pushups, the movement is all up and down, and this is true for the:
1 Arms
2 Shoulders
3 Hips

What normally happens is when you peak is this type of exercise, your body has learned and adapted to the motion completely, but this motion is really nothing like the challenges you are faced with in everyday life, even in something as simple as walking. Life isn?t balanced, so training shouldn?t be.

If you were to plug the pushup into a training evolution, it would look like this:
1 The basic pushup
2 Pushup, feet on stability ball
3 Pushup, feet on stability ball, hands on balance disks

This pushup example is a very simple example. The training evolution for many exercises can sometimes contain up to 15 or more stages.

By exercising in this manner, you continue to force the body to adapt and don?t allow it to peak and become stagnant. Not only that, but by using the stability ball and balance disks you are now exercising in unstable atmospheres. Doing this will get the smaller micro-muscles of the spine engaged. These muscles can be referred to as the athleticism muscles and will increase your:
1 Quickness
2 Reactions
3 Strength
4 And much, much more...

In this manner of exercising, it?s most important not to rush the training evolution. Only go to the next stage when you?re ready. You?ll know when you?re ready when a stage becomes easy and is no longer challenging.

About the Author: Joe Driscoll is a former Martial Arts world champion and the author of Conditioning and Beyond and several other books on fitness, conditioning and Martial Arts Training. Find out more about Joe and his training concepts at http://www.FightingShape.com

Overcoming Resistance to Exercise

Are You Destined to Sit on the Couch?

If someone mentions exercise do you think, I hate to exercise. There's no way I'm doing that. Exercise is hard, it's a drag, it takes too much time. These types of beliefs may be keeping you from discovering a fun way to add to your weight loss plan.

I'm a prime example. When I was younger I didn't like participating in sports. I felt I was clumsy, I couldn't throw a ball to save my life, and I'd rather not try to catch one (might hurt myself). I never felt confident about my ability on the practice field and I didn't have a competitive spirit. I didn't really care if I won, which tended to anger my teammates. So, if anyone talked to me about exercise I'd say, Thanks, but no thanks, I hate sports. But something funny happened on the way to the locker room; I discovered weight lifting. Keep your eyes and ears open and you may discover some activity you love.

If you're perfectly happy sitting on the couch, then just accept you'll stay heavier because of it. It is perfectly fine to choose not to get up and move around, but if you do get up more often, you'll find that it feels good to move. Our bodies were designed to bend and flex. Physical activity just feels good.

Change How You Think And You'll Change How You Feel About Exercise

Lots of people say they hate to exercise, many because they relate exercise to grade school physical education class where they had to wear dorky shorts, hated how they looked, and weren't as athletic as the other kids so they felt bad or were chose last for teams. (I wanted to be chosen last, I really hated sports). Maybe too, they just hated dressing down in front of all the other kids.

These early unpleasant experiences leave most of us dreading the mere thought of exercise. You may have noticed kids who did enjoy sports though. They were always a bit healthier, running, jumping, becoming out of breath and slapping each other on the back. They seemed to have something you didn't. A certain vitality, zest for life? Wouldn't you like some of that?

Exercise can be anything you do that isn't just sitting or lying down. Walking upstairs or down is exercise, carrying grocery bags is exercise, and so is bending and stretching to wash clothes or load the dishwasher. It's all a chance to move, and movement is exercise. All the chores around the house are exercise. Start to pay attention to how you move. Bend from the waist and squat down, using your leg muscles. Stand on tip-toe while you brush your teeth. Don't grumble when you have to go get the mail; be happy! It's exercise time.

If you like participating in sports maybe you can find some like minded neighbors and put together a few evenings a week basketball game? If you start something and are consistent, then exercise will help you lose weight even faster. So called weekend warriors are better than nothing, but try to add something mid-week as well. Walking is good, brisk walking is even better. It may be for you that simply getting up from your chair is exercise.

Getting Started with Exercise for Weight Loss

We all must start at our beginning point and work from there. If walking to the front door is your exercise, good. Start there. Get up and walk to the door and back again, every day working toward the day when you walk out the front door and to the street. Imagine, one day you'll be walking around the block. It may not sound like much, but it isn't a question of quantity but quality.

I once heard of someone who'd been in a terrible accident and she used rolls of pennies in her hand for weights. Now that is truly starting at the bottom but eventually she regained strength and today is healthy and happy. If you're reluctant to exercise, it could be how you think of exercise. Change from thinking of it as jumping jacks and running laps to something fun like hiking in the woods or walking on the beach. A change in perspective could be all it takes to overcome your resistance to exercise.

Finally, an Exercise Even I Could Do!

My love weight lifting (body building) because it's something I can do by myself (I don't lift so heavy as to require a spotter), and I can see results quickly (usually in six weeks or less you will notice a real difference with weight lifting). I also ride a stationary bike because I can read while I ride and I LOVE reading. The idea is to find something you really like so you'll continue to do it. If you joined the gym and you dread it, then it's not likely you'll continue that program for the long-term.

All Movement Counts as Exercise

What about gardening? I know a lot of people wouldn't consider gardening strenuous enough but I beg to differ. What was it that kept most people in better condition 50 years ago? It was more walking to the corner store, standing at the fence gabbing with a neighbor, sweeping the floors, beating the rugs, mopping, washing tubs of laundry by hand, chopping firewood, hanging clothes outdoors (my mom used to do this). Chores kept us healthy. Today those of us who do our own chores have a lot of work savers like washing machines, clothes dryers and car washes. Even the grocery clerks don't get the exercise of moving their fingers because now they simply swipe the food over the scanner.

Some people get a rowing machine or treadmill and put it in front of the TV and exercise while watching their favorite shows. If you're going to watch TV no matter what, put equipment in front of it and go for it. Living rooms are perfect places to put some equipment. Most of us hardly use that room at all and generally it's one of the largest in the house! Add to your exercise time until you've got around 30 minutes or more a day of actual movement and you'll see the pounds slipping away.

Realize that all movement counts and you'll start to feel better about regular household chores (maybe you will, at least give it a try). Do you have stairs? There's a piece of workout equipment and it didn't cost you a thing. You can walk up and down them, stand on the edge of one and raise and lift your heels (calf raises). Walk on tip toe sometimes. Every time you get up from a chair, use your leg muscles, maybe even sit down again and do it again. Stand against the wall and slowly lower yourself to a sitting position (or as low as is comfortable even if it's only a quarter inch).

Your House is a Fully Equipped Gym

Your house is a fully equipped gym, so start to use it. Just because you don't own fancy equipment or don't belong to the gym doesn't mean you can get regular exercise. Look around and be resourceful. Empty milk jugs filled with sand are heavy enough for most men to use as weights. Canned food can become a handy weight too. See what ideas you can find and have fun putting some exercise into your daily life.

~~ Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of the free e-book: Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com

Get The Daily Bites: Inspirational Mini Lessons Using EFT and NLP for Ending the Struggle with Weight Loss.