Nothing But The Truth

By far the most widespread inquiries were from women commonly afflicted by "diet resistant" fat deposits on their hips, thighs, and butts concurrently self diagnosed as "cellulite". The reported conditions were uncannily uniform; adjectives such as "cottage cheese," "dimpled," "bumpy," and "gravel like" were common. The letters also lay claim to the fat's stubborn nature, that no amount of diet or exercise would get rid of it.
All in all, the women writing these letters were at their wits end, frustrated that they were cursed with this deferent fat called cellulite that just won't go away.
Well ladies, you are not alone. Millions of women, to varying degrees, are covered with cellulite making it the most common diet related problem. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year on creams, potions, Luffa sponges, liposuction, special massages, and the like in an effort to rid the body of cellulite all to no avail. None of the available cellulite remedies work --because there is no such thing as cellulite!
In the mid seventies a Swedish doctor discovered if he attached a name to a common cosmetic problem and created a remedy for it, vanity would drive his bank account to a level he could hitherto only dream about. Boy was he right!
Almost immediately the concept of cellulite caught on. For nineteen ninety five and ten minutes each night before bed, one could apply a special cream to the afflicted area and then rub themselves raw with a long, course, natural sponge known as a Luffa and the cellulite would go away.
Well the only thing that went away was the Swedish doctor, in the direction of the setting sun driving his new Ferrari, giggling--probably still to this day --about all of the digits in his Swiss bank account. In our minds this was probably one of the greatest deceptions of all time, it's more than 30 years later and people still think that cellulite is a viable excuse for a fat cheesy butt.
I realize that you're probably a bit mad right now - we're telling you something different that you've been led to believe for so many years - sometimes the truth is shocking, but you can use this truth to help you reach your goals much faster. So if you're still convinced that cellulite is an honest medical condition, grab a medical dictionary the next time you visit the library and look it up. All you'll find where the word should be is a space.
If you want to use the term "cellulite" to describe how the fat on a woman's lower body looks, fine. We'll accept that, however, the fat termed "cellulite" is no different from the adipose tissue residing under the skin in any other area of the body.
If there is no physical difference then why does it look different? Good question. First, you have to understand something about the skin. It's very elastic, stretching when you move, closely following the rest of the body. In doing so it must also be attached to the body. For example, the skin covering the fingers is attached to the muscles and bone by fibrous cords called irabitclae that are far less elastic than the skin itself.
Since the connective tissue is not as elastic as the skin, it will only stretch so far while being acted on by the force of expanding fat cells. Once the cords reach their limit, and the fat cells are still expanding, the cords stop and the skin in between keeps going. The point where the connective tissue is attached to the skin is the low point of a dimple. Put a bunch of these dimples together and you have what looks like a pillow case full of gravel.
Why is cellulite so hard to get rid of? Another good question, the answer pertains to the gender specific deposits of fat. To put it simply, the areas of greater fat concentration appear to be the last to go. In order to get rid of the look of cellulite you must get rid of the fat that is causing it. Remember in the realm of normal people twenty to twenty-five percent body fat is normal for a woman, while fifteen to twenty percent is normal for a male. Most of America exceeds the upper limits of their respective group creating a forum for a whole lot of cheesy looking fat.
Dieting can be deceiving; we've seen women who appear skinny up top yet are hauling around quite a load down below and scream cellulite when they can't diet it off. Even though their collar bone is sticking out and their arms are skinny, their body fat measurements are still quite high.
The bottom line is that dieting down is tough work indeed and you MUST have follow a proven system to get this fat off - otherwise you'll end up more frustrated than anything else. It's a lot easier to give up and blame a disorder than it is to religiously pass the bulk food section at the market and actually do 30 minutes of aerobics every day. If the diet and activity level of an average American were analyzed it would be very clear why cellulite is so common.

Read More..

Ruin Your Summer Fun

I love summer! Summer is my favorite season of the year. I love playing sports outside and walking on the beach. I especially enjoy being at an outdoor barbecue. Maybe you enjoy summer activities as well. Imagine with me for a moment being at an outdoor barbecue. Just a little distance away from you there's a swimming pool full of kids who are having fun playing, laughing and splashing in the water. In another spot there might be a horseshoe game playing. You can hear the "clank" of the horseshoes hitting the posts as the players are trying to get a ringer. And of course there's the barbecue grill. On the grill might be hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken or steaks. The only thing better than the smell coming from the grill is the taste of the food when it's time to eat. Can you just imagine the fun that you will have this summer?
Now fast forward with me a few hours. You are at home and your skin is starting to itch. Just before bedtime you're taking your shirt or blouse off to get into your bed clothes and just the material rubbing up against your skin is painful. When you do go to bed that evening you toss and turn trying to get into a position that isn't painful so that you can go to sleep. However, you spend hours awake only thinking about the pain that your body is experiencing instead of the tremendous fun you had that day. What is the reason for this itching and pain? You have probably guessed it. You have a sunburn!
Fortunately you can do something about it before it happens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has provided us with some steps that we can take to help reduce our chance of having to deal with sun damage. These seven simple action steps are as follows:
1. Limit Time in the Midday Sun - The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours.
2. Wear a Hat - A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.
3. Cover Up - Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.
4. Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV Radiation -Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.
5. Always Use Sunscreen - Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher liberally on exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours, or after working, swimming, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend extended periods of time in the water.
6. Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors - The light source from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes. It's a good idea to avoid artificial sources of UV light.
7. Watch for the UV Index - The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and EPA, the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities across the United States.
Why am I telling you about these simple action steps that can help protect you from the sun? I want you to have fun this summer. I want you to have fun this summer under the sun.

Read More..

Reducing Blood Pressure

Recent research underscores the importance of a healthful lifestyle including a fitness regimen for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Often, changes in diet and exercise habits are enough to control blood pressure without medication, especially for people with mild to moderate blood pressure levations. Sometimes diet and exercise can even reduce the need for medication, and thereby reduce side effects and lower costs.
If you are already taking medication for hypertension, it's important to discuss your lifestyle changes with your doctor, and continue taking your medication as prescribed. If lifestyle changes result in improved blood pressure, your doctor will want to work closely with you to reduce your dosage in a safe and effective manner. Following are some of the most important things you can do to prevent and control hypertension.
Reducing your sodium intake is a major factor. Many people with hypertension find that reducing sodium intake reduces blood pressure as well. Learn which foods are high in sodium, and avoid them as much as possible.
Regular exercise is the most important hypertension-prevention habit for three reasons:
First, it helps prevent and control hypertension. Formerly sedentary people who begin exercising regularly experience, on average, a drop of six or seven points in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Second, active people have lower death rates than their sedentary friends, even when they have the same blood pressure. Research has shown that exercise reduces risk for cardiovascular and other disease. Exercise also helps prevent obesity, another hypertension risk factor.
Third, regular exercise provides the foundation for successful behavior change programs. Exercise makes you feel good and feel positive about yourself. Stress reduction is one of the greatest benefits of exercise. Stress not only raises blood pressure, but it makes you less inclined to stick to your positive eating plan, your
smoking cessation program or your decision to cut down on your alcohol intake.
Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains increases your intake of important minerals such as calcium and potassium, not to mention vitamins and fiber. One study found that volunteers consuming a diet high in these foods and low in fats (such as the diets created by our on-staff nutritionist) reduced systolic blood pressure by four points, and diastolic by three points. This small but significant reduction was accomplished with diet alone. Add exercise, stress management and weight loss for people who are overweight, and blood pressure reductions often improve much more.
Eating well and exercising regularly are the cornerstone.
Deprivation programs are out! Don't focus on weight loss; focus on a healthy lifestyle. A little weight loss may occur by cutting down on "junk food," eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, and increasing physical activity. Even a relatively small loss, such as 5 to 10 pounds, can reduce blood pressure. The most important goal is the development of healthful habits that stay with you for a
lifetime, so that the weight stays off. Weight cycling (repeatedly losing and regaining weight) may raise your blood pressure and be harmful to your health.
Reducing stress is another lifelong task. Take a stress management workshop, develop your sense of humor and read some good books. Develop coping techniques that increase your resistance to stress related illness. And don't forget the importance of exercise for stress reduction.
Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake will make a profound difference in your health. You should strive to drink alcohol and caffeine in moderation, if at all.

Read More..

Ways to Fight Bad Breath

Bad Breath haunts a lot of us, and we can easily admit it. Bad Breath is quite an easy case to treat when it comes to bad oral heath (so do not worry about it). Everyone develops bad smelling breath every now and then, especially after we get done eating food. There are simple ways to fight breath that stinks by means of appropriate dental hygiene.
Common dental hygiene that actually works quite well is the old "brush your teeth 3 times a day," routine. Even if you simply brush your teeth 2 times a day you will be well off. A simple remedy for bad smelling breath after you eat is to chew on a stick of mint gum or purchase some mints.
I can also personally recommend that you use mouthwash, as it not only kills bacteria, plaque and gingivitis but it also makes your teeth whiter and smell great. If you simply use good dental/oral hygiene you will be less likely to develop severe cases from Bad Breath such as Halitosis (a chronic disease of unpleasant smelling breath).
Do not worry about it though because it is very common to get bad breath that does not smell too pleasant, even if you do keep the appropriate dental hygiene methods. If you have a feeling that you have a case of severe Halitosis (no matter what you do, your breath stinks horribly), you may want to set up an appointment with your dentist.

Read More..

Four Powerful Keys To Healing

Here is a simple process to become pro-active with your health.
Many people with an illness waste a lot of time on future events that have not or will not happen. A future event is anything not in the NOW. For example: I might not feel like going out tonight because I am might be tired (notice the words-might be tired).
I had a friend that was HIV (diagnosed with AIDs) and every statement he made was like this: "Let's go to the beach today because I might be dead tomorrow."
Starting today be aware of your words because they have power. Here is an easy technique to focus on all the good in your life and NOT on what may or may not happen in the future.
Write this format on a piece of paper:
Statement
Pro
Con
Turnaround
Action
Example One
Statement
I am always in pain.
Pro
I have friends that always sympathize with me and I get attention.
Con
I wish I could spend more time with my grandchildren.
Turnaround
I felt great this morning.
(NOTICE: I did not say, "I was pain-free in the morning" because that would still be focusing on the pain.)
Action
Pick-up the phone and say Hi to your grandchildren. Ask them how THEY ARE---focus on the good and positive of other people. DO NOT talk about how much pain you were in before.
In addition after you have worked with one statement you can also take a sentence from your PRO or CON list and apply it to this format. Pick the ones that have the most "charge" or emotions attached to them.
Example Two
Statement
I have friends that always sympathize with me and I get attention.
Pro
I feel like I am needed.
Con
I feel useless.
Turnaround
I get attention by listening to other people.
(This is NOT about having a pity party and sharing negative stories. Focus on the good and positive aspects of the day. Take action and direct the conversation to a place of joy.)
Action
I do things that are helpful around the house.
This simple process is easy to do and it works. The best way to starting using this process is today. Be aware of what you are saying and then immediately write it down.
To help you stay in the moment say, "I am healthy whole and complete and I love myself for who I am right here, right now."
Remember, be pro-active with your health and keep all conversations positive. Make a sign that says, "No Whining Allowed" to remind you of your commitment to health. People will notice you have changed. Focus on the good in your life and the beauty around you. Soon you will be feeling better, doing more and living a more fulfilling life.

Read More..

Phytochemicals for Your Immune Health

My mom used to dress the dinner plate in full matching regalia; yellow squash nestled next to green asparagus. Red and yellow peppers tossed around the salad added spectacular color. Now dear mom knew these foods were healthy and she loved to decorate my plate with the colors of the season; but did she know that these wholesome foods contain phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals are the active substances in plants that give them their color, flavor, odor, and protection against plant diseases. Phytochemicals work as powerful antioxidants, which can increase our resistance to disease and boost immunity.
While most research focuses on the anti-carcinogen effects of phytochemicals, the results are equally important to those who just want to boost their immune system or help reverse the aging clock.
Scientists at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRC) rated 60 fruits and vegetables for potency of antioxidants, which stabilize cells and help fight the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that weaken the immune system. Antioxidants can help keep cancer, heart disease and other degenerative conditions at bay.
The top scoring fruit in the HNRC study was blueberries followed by strawberries, prunes, black currants and boysenberries. The deeper the color, the better for you. Many of these antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties, and some naturally reduce blood cholesterol.
It's important to fill your diet with all the colors of the food rainbow. Eat the blues, reds, purples, oranges, yellows, and greens.
Fresh or Frozen Produce?
It's okay if you don't have time to steam your own fresh veggies, studies by the FDA and the University of Illinois show that frozen fruits and vegetables are nearly as nutritious because they can wait to be picked until they're at the peak of freshness.
Fresh produce is usually picked early, before it's ripe and fully nutritious, so that it ships well.
But if you're lucky enough to grow your own fruits or vegetables, or you can buy straight from a farm - then that's where you'll find the most nutritious fruits and vegetables!!!
What about supplements:
The value of most supplements is, at best, ineffective. The power of phytochemicals seem to be lost when removed from food. Except if you're fortunate enough to find a high quality 'greens drink'.
Click Here to get more info on our green drinks and other supplements!!!
Drinking one glass of a quality 'greens drink' supplies more than 5 servings of powerful, phytochemical rich nutrition.
Other Phyto Foods :
Phyto foods come in many varieties and for all palates. Among the most common sources are:
FRUITS: Apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, cherries, citrus fruits, grapes, kiwi fruit, lemons, mangoes, melons, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, plums. GRAINS: Barley, cornmeal, whole grain, quinoa, brown rice, wheat germ. NUTS and SEEDS: Flaxseed (a small brown seed used in cooking), macadamia, pecans, sesame seeds, walnuts. VEGETABLES: Asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, dark leafy greens and lettuces, mushrooms, onions, green and dried peas, sweet and hot peppers, white and sweet potatoes, pumpkin, soybeans, watercress, winter squash, tomatoes. And a host of others.

Read More..

Keep Good Oral Health

Oral Health is basically the overall health of your mouth. How your gums, teeth and breath are. If you do not perform correct and appropriate dental hygiene, you may end up developing an oral mouth disease. Some cases are severe, while others have ointments that can easily treat the more mild cases. The condition that you keep your mouth in will determine what your Oral Health is like, and what it will be like for future reference.
In order to keep a good dental hygiene you must follow all of the basic steps that are recommended by probably every single dentist that you have come across. Every time you set up an appointment, you always hear them ask you how many times you brush your teeth a day.
If your reply is once, you can expect them to raise an eyebrow at you and tell you to bump it up to three times a day. If you do not brush your teeth very often you are possibly at risk of developing serious oral diseases.
There is a possibility that you can develop Halitosis, Gingivitis, Gum Disease, Tartar, Plaque and other diseases that may even be more severe such as rotting teeth (you would really have to be against brushing your teeth for that one) if you do not brush your teeth. Also use other hygienic methods such as flossing and using mouthwash, anything you can do to help your mouth will just take you one step further away from having to worry about any sort of risky Oral Health.

Read More..

Contact Lens Thermal Cleaner

Hand washing contact lenses is not the only way to go. You can use a contact lens thermal cleaner to achieve the same effect. Or at least to do part of the job. You should still use a cleaner to remove dirt and protein deposits from your contacts, and you must rinse them thoroughly afterwards, but a thermal unit can be used to disinfect the lenses afterwards.
The procedure for cleaning your lenses using a contact lens thermal cleaner is as follows.
1. Clean your hand thoroughly with a non perfumed soap, before removing your lenses.
2. Remove one lens at a time and put it in the palm of your hand, so that the rounded part that actually covers your eye is facing upwards. Pour a few drops of your cleaner over the lens, and using one finger, rub the lens gently.
3. Rinse the lens thoroughly using your saline rinsing solution.
4. Fill your lens case with the recommended solution. Put the lens in its case, and repeat these steps with the other lens. Screw the caps on and put the case into the heating unit. Plug in the unit, and then switch it on.
5. Read the thermal cleaner's instructions, regarding how long you should allow it to heat in order to disinfect the lenses, and also how long it needs to cool down before you can remove the lenses. Once this procedure has been followed, you can put your lenses in your eyes.
6. Rinse the case thoroughly with water, and allow it to dry. Be careful that you do not use dirty or oily cloths to dry the case, because some of this matter could end up in your eyes.
Remember that the thermal cleaner is just a tool to use, and that you should continue to take care and responsibility for your lenses.

Read More..

Take The Low Approach

Not only are rock hard abs a symbol of fitness, but strong and flexible abdominal muscles help trim your waist and end back pain. Two very important health goals of many who enter an exercise facility. It allows you to move from side to side with stability and control. Men and women want to walk on the beach and show off all their hard work by exposing their abs. From what has been seen in gym and health facilities, it is most worked on muscle group or it is the most neglected. What category do you end up falling into? There are many ways in which you can work you abdominal muscles. There is scientific sequence to effectively shaping and creating great abs.
Most people are stronger in their upper to middle abdominals compared to their lower abdominal muscles. It is recommended that you work your lower abs first since you are freshest and have the most energy to get the most out of your stomach. The abdominal muscles react and provide optimal results visually when performed to failure. Failure occurs when the muscle is thoroughly exhausted and the exercise can no longer be executed. This means you can not do one more painful repetition. Your mid-section should be worked in this manner all the time.
Some examples for lower abs are as follows:
The reverse crunch (using the slant board) - with your hand holding the bars and your legs straight on the floor, raise your knees to your face, while bending your knees, until the fetal position. Then slowly drop your rear end until you touch the board and repeat the exercise.
Leg lifts (performed on the Roman Chair) - Start with your back on the back support and lift your knees/legs to its highest point. Feet should not be allowed to swing behind your rear end at its lowest point for safety and momentum purposes.
Hanging leg raises (performed on the cable machines) - Start by hanging from the middle pull up bar on the cable machines. The hanging leg raise is probably the most result producing stomach exercise since it is generated from the lower abs and then incorporated the upper abs at its peak. It begins by having your feet lift over and above your waist until it reached approximately where your hands are holding on. Remember to keep you body from swinging back and forth. This will cause you to use more stomach muscles and less momentum.
Then proceed to your upper/middle abs to get that desired burn.
The Ab Roller, which is great for upper abdominals and obliques, is great to start with since it promotes safety and immediate results. Exercises utilizing the ball and floor mats are great ways to end a stomach workout. The utility ball allows for maximum stretching to hit all areas of the mid-section.
Since your stomach is considered your smallest muscle, you are able - and recommended to - train them up to 6 days per week. A cardiovascular work out which consist of constant aerobic activity which last for more than 30 minutes at your 80% target heart rate is extremely beneficial and necessary to achieve that ever desired six pack.
Great abs are only obtained through hard work, perseverance and proper form. They are the central point in which your motion begins and ends. In the end, great abs will give you the needed support for your workout and your life.

Read More..

Adjustable Dumbells Are Part Of Any Balanced Fitness plan

Dumbbell exercise is a key component of every balanced
exercise and fitness regime. Finding the right dumbbells
for your own specific fitness program is important and that
is why adjustable dumbbells are ideal.
Adjustable dumbbells allow you to save space and time
during weight training sessions meaning that you can
purchase a set for your own personal dumbbell exercizes at
home or you can find a set at the gym and use those.
Adjustable dumbbells are even more desirable because you
don't have to purchase a large set of dumbbells in order to
change weight increments so your weights can change as your
increase your strength.
With adjustable dumbbells you can adjust the dumbbells in
five pound increments to increase or decrease the weight
according to the dumbbell workouts you need to do.
To make the increase or decrease in the dumbbell weights
for your dumbbell workout, you merely need to turn a dial
that is situated on the side of the dumbbells.
In order to add or release weight plates in adjustable
dumbbells in the correct way, you should position the bar
and weight plates in the tray where you can then position
the dial to the contoured end of the tray.
This ensures that you are changing the weights safely and
effectively so when you are actually using the dumbbells,
you are able to turn the dial counter-clockwise to release
weights and clockwise to increase weights during your
workout.
This is ideal because it means that you can adjust your
workout according to what kind of challenge level you are
looking for in your workout. The real benefit comes with
the fact that you can change these dumbbells every day if
you want to.
Adjustable dumbbells are widely available for purchase from
fitness stores in your local area or from online catalogs
over the Internet. Online companies and fitness stores that
have their own website will quite often offer fitness
equipment at well below retail.
Sometimes you can even have your dumbbell system sent
directly to your home with free shipping, depending on how
much you spend.
Two of the best brands of adjustable dumbbells are ProBell
and Hex. ProBell offers a dumbbell system that sits on a
high-impact nylon storage tray. Its plates are zinc dye
cast and are coated to deliver long term durability. Hex
dumbbells are also made from high quality iron casting that
is very durable over time.

Read More..