Sunday, January 22, 2012

Tempest in a tea cup, Wisdom in a sake cup


What an oxymoron the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has turned out to be. This vegan organization has one colossal ax to grind with their archrival, Darth Atkins. This is an old score that they've unfairly flung in front of the public before, all in the effort to squash the low carb idea and its adherents.
The first time was when Robert Atkins suffered his fatal accident, a cranial blow that caused edema – when water accumulates within the tissues. This tragic condition, obviously, caused his body to fill with fluid and thus, his overall weight to rise.
The so-called "Responsible Physicians" seized on this dying man's condition by calling Atkins obese – which he was not – and telling everyone who would listen that his diet killed him – which it did not.
In the end, all they accomplished is to add bitterness and confusion to nutrition science by their shrill, unfair attacks on those who happen to disagree with them.
So, after maligning a dead man, they've now put up Florida businessman Jody Gorran to sue the Atkins Corporation. Gorran – channeling those Responsible Physicians – made the following claims. First, Atkins was a doctor and Gorran was on his diet. Second, he had to have heart angioplasty to clear his arteries after 2 years on the diet. And third, he reasoned, of the 40,000 factors that affect weight and health … the Atkins approach must have been the very one to have done it to him.
Of course, I'm no low carb acolyte, and do anxiously encourage the lemmings to rebound back from the intoxication with this high protein approach. But you still have to be fair, or you lose integrity, credibility, and confuse everyone in the process. That's why the Responsible vegans need to go sit in time out, before heading off to their anger management therapy.
But from our perspective, their messy food fight is about more than one group flinging their high carb carob at Atkins' sausage-n-cheese omelet. It's about hearing an off-key chorus of competing messages from different camps of experts. In the midst of all this confusion, dietary decisions get left in the hands of you and me. We could pick the Krispy Kreme diet if we wanted, or low fat, or low carb, and find some scientific validation for any of it.
So what's the sane middle ground? What lies between low fat and low carb? And most importantly, what rational guidance are we supposed to draw upon when planning dinner or a grocery store trip?
The best solution is to step back out of the niggling experts and think more intuitively about a healthy lifestyle approach.
For example, browsing through the import store this past week, on the hunt for a Sake set for a birthday present, one particular set bore a list of ten rules for living. I would love to see these simple maxims advised as basic common sense strategies. Eat less sugar, more fruit Use little salt, more vinegar Put less food in the mouth, chew more Eat less meat, more vegetables It is better to give than to receive Control your temper, laugh more often Speak fewer words, take more action Worry less, get plenty of sleep Sit less, walk more Wear only as much clothes as you need, bathe often
Rules like these work, have as much to do with your lifestyle as anything else, and ultimately improve your weight and health. The various diet experts may gnash their teeth at some pet idea mislaid, but you and I will find it hard to disagree with such basic common sense.

Make Healthy Profits -- Sell Youth-Preservers


It's no secret that people all over the world (especially in America) spend billions and billions of dollars every year trying to reclaim their youth. We buy skin creams, get expensive injections, buy more youthful clothing, and even undergo painful plastic surgery...all in an effort to turn back the clock and improve our image.
But what if the solution were simpler than doing all this? What if we discovered the one secret to a more youthful appearance and vitality?
Would people buy it? Would they ever!
The latest big development in the youth-finding industry is HGH or Human Growth Hormone. HGH is being put in skin care products and supplements, and its effectiveness is proven in study after study.
HGH is produced by the body, but the amount produced decreases drastically with age. For example, at age twenty-one, the normal level of circulating HGH is about 10 milligrams per deciliter of blood. At age sixty-one, it is 2 milligrams per deciliter -- a decrease of 80 percent. And by the age range of 70 to 80, 50% of us have no significant serum HGH at all.
So, there is a strong correlation between HGH and youth. And people are starting to take notice.
Companies are putting out more products with HGH, and people are buying them. It's no wonder, since HGH has been found to be associated with benefits like decreased body fat, increased energy levels, improved memory and vision, reduced wrinkles and skin spots, better immune function, enhanced sexual desire and performance, and increased muscle mass.
Who doesn't want all that? Perhaps the best part about the new GH products is that they can be taken orally--no injections required. And, people can get a more potent product with an oral spray than any other form of HGH.
If you haven't jumped on this bandwagon, consider becoming a distributor of GH products or other similar youth-preservers. It's a goldmine of opportunity, and you never know...you just might find something you thought you'd lost.

Your Dentist Might Stop Your Next Heart Attack

As the Webmaster for a site dedicated to helping people save money when they go to the dentist, I find myself having to consistently fight two different and distinct battles; one against the average Americans reluctance to pay the high cost of modern dental care and the other is the same Americans belief that seeing a dentist regularly just isn't that important.
The first battle I have a decent chance of winning but the second battle I've had to throw my hands up in surrender; I mean if someone doesn't care about their teeth enough to have them taken care of by a dentist, what can I possibly say to convince them otherwise?
How about this; "Did you know that your next visit to the dentist could prevent a heart attack?"
Medical researchers have known for years now that there's a definite link between gum disease (i.e. gingivitis) and persons' risk for a heart disease (see http://discountdental4u.net/gumdisease.htm). Evidence is mounting, however, that information gleaned from a routine panoramic dental X-rays-wide-angle frontal images --taken to establish the baseline condition of teeth and surrounding bone-- may serve as an accurate early-warning system of risk of dying from heart attack or stroke.
According to researchers at the University of Buffalo School of Dental medicine, a study of 818 teeth and jaw x-rays of Pima Indians in Arizona found that those who had a build-up of calcified plaque in the carotid arteries were twice as likely to die from heart attack or stroke. Normally, calcified plaque is present in only about 3 percent of the general population.
An earlier study of 2,700 dental patients showed calcium deposits on each side of the carotid arteries can be spotted in x-rays of the teeth and jaw bone.
It makes sense that the dental x-rays would see the carotid artery --which carries blood from the heart to the brain and back-- so dentists should be aware that it is screening tool for cardiovascular disease. If they see signs of calcification in dental x-rays, they tell the patient to see his or her doctor ASAP.
BOTTOM LINE: Most dental insurance plans allow you a yearly dental exam at little or no cost so schedule a complete check-up, including x-rays, with your dentist ASAP. If you don't have dental insurance, consider enrolling in a discount dental plan that fits your budget and then go see a dentist ASAP.

How To Rid Your Home Of The Nations #1 Health Menace


With today's new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous than ever before!
Scientific evidence now shows that the air inside our homes is 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. And because we spend about 90 percent of our time inside, indoor air quality has become one of the top environmental health threats in the country.
With today's new construction practices, buildings are no longer made to breathe. Pollutants trapped inside our home can cause chronic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin rashes and itchy eyes. Some pollutants may have more serious effects, including asthma and cancer.
I remember back in the 70's (when I was just a kid), in an effort to save money on energy, the public utility district was upgrading everyone's home, at their own expense.
My parents took the PUD up on this offer as well. A contractor came to our home and installed double-pane windows, more insulation (throughout our entire home), insulated all the electrical outlets, and basically did everything possible to turn our home into an air tight cocoon.
While this seemed like a good idea at the time, buildings are now made so air tight that the pollutants produced in the building accumulate and have no way to escape.
Here it is years later, and a major health concern has evolved.
Black mold!
Mold has now become a nationwide epidemic. It's now responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of unsuspecting victims. And until we find out how to control this menace, the situation is only going to get worse.
If you want to find out how to wipe out the black mold threat in your home, be sure to sign up for this upcoming no-charge, consumer awareness teleseminar.
It's called…
"The Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don't Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health"
Here are just 4 of the strategies that will be revealed on the call...
1. The 5 tell-tale danger signs of black mold... any one of these puts you, your family, and your home at risk
2. How to find out if black mold is the cause of your health problems -- without a visit to the doctor's office
3. The 3-step method to locating mold... that anyone can do, without spending a fortune to hire a professional
4. Why you NEVER want to tell your insurance agent about a water damage or mold problem in your home... until you take this step first
You can get all the details and register for this no-charge consumer awareness service at
http://www.getmoldsolutions.com/black_mold_teleconference.html

5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression


Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away. Depression, however, could be more fatal than just plain loneliness. It could render life-long consequences that could ruin your self-esteem, health, and well-being.
Here are some superb tips to conquer the melancholy mood and get the most bliss out of your daily activities.
1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.
Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.
Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.
This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.
If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.
2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.
You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.
Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.
Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.
3) Take a Break.
I mean it.
Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.
4) Eat Right and Stay Fit.
Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety , tension, and internal problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems." They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.
Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.
5) Get a Social Life.
No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.
Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragement during your most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone today. You'll never know when you have saved another life.
Get intimate. Establish close ties with your family and friends. The love and care expressed by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll live a more secured and happy life.

The Underlying Cause of Nervous Breakdowns

Life can offer us many challenges having to do with loss. When we are faced with relationship loss, financial loss, loss of health, loss of limb, loss of regard, or loss of love, we can feel overwhelmingly anxious, depressed and stressed. When the anxiety, depression and stress get too big, we may have a nervous breakdown – that is, we become incapable of functioning in our everyday life and incapable of coping with our daily challenges.
What causes one person to have a nervous breakdown while another, with equally difficult or even more difficult challenges, is able to stay functioning and even optimistic?
Imagine a seven year old child trying to cope with a big loss in his or her life, like the loss of a parent. What enables the seven year old to handle this loss? A seven year old can handle the loss only when there is a loving adult helping him or her with the loss. When there is no loving adult helping with the loss, the child may handle the loss by shutting down. The shutting down may lead to a loss of functioning, such as doing poorly in school.
However, when the child does not feel alone with the loss – when there is love sustaining the child from an adult source – this child will be able to cope with the feelings of loss. The same is true for us as adults. We all have a very hard time with loss when we feel alone with it, but we can manage it when we are not alone.
However, we cannot always rely on others to be here for us in times of loss, stress and overwhelm. Those people who have family and friends to always turn to for emotional and financial support during times of loss are fortunate indeed. But there are many people who are not so fortunate. Without others to turn to, we need to be able to turn to a reliable inner source of love to make it through and not feel alone. This reliable source needs to be our own inner spiritually connected loving Adult self. Those people who are able to manage loss without losing functioning are those people who do not feel alone inside because they have developed a strong loving Adult self.
I define the loving Adult as the part of us that is open to learning from and connected with a spiritual source of love, wisdom and guidance. It is the part of us that takes loving action in our own behalf, nurtures us when we feel fear and grief, and operates from the truth from Spirit rather than from the lies of our wounded self – our ego. Just as children can manage loss when there is a loving adult to help them, the child in us can manage loss when we have a strong, spiritually connected loving Adult self to help us. As a loving Adult we know we are never alone. We know we are always being loved, sustained and guided by a spiritual Source.
It is often not enough to have a strong religious or spiritual connection. If you have not been using that connection to develop your loving Adult self, then there is no part of you to bring love and comfort to yourself when you most need it, and no part of you that can take loving action for yourself, especially when things are overwhelming.
People who have nervous breakdowns are people who are not operating from a loving Adult in their everyday lives. They are able to function as long as things go well, but when things fall apart, as they often do in life, these people may also fall apart. Without a loving Adult to bring the love and truth of Spirit to them, they end up feeling too alone to manage loss.
The Inner Bonding process we teach is a very powerful process for developing a strong loving Adult self. When Inner Bonding is practiced consistently, the loving Adult naturally develops. We all can develop enough personal power and a deep enough spiritual connection to sustain us during the difficult times. We don't have to be at the mercy of life's challenges. Practicing the 6 Steps of Inner Bonding is like putting money in the bank for when it might be needed. The more you practice the process and develop the loving Adult, the easier it is to handle life's big challenges as they arise.

How Adult Day Care can help you maintain your sanity while caring for your loved one with Alzheimer.s Disease


Adult Day Care provides comfort, support, care, companionship and counseling for elderly or Alzheimer's patients who require supervision during daytime hours. It offers patients the opportunity to socialize and to receive health and social services in a stimulating and supportive environment.
When you have chosen your Day Care, make sure that their license is current and do not hesitate to ask questions. Among others, Ask to see results of their state inspections and if there were any deficiencies, ask if they have been corrected. Observe if the patients are involved in activities. Does the staff encourage the participants to be as independent as possible? Ask about the staff to client ratio. For Alzheimer's patients, the ratio should be at least one staff member for every eight patients. Meet the director and the staff. Is there a lot of staff turnover? What are the emergency procedures? Do they serve meals and how are they prepared? Do they offer food for patients of special dietary needs? Is there a secure outdoor area sufficient for walking and spending time outside? It can be vital for an Alzheimer's patient to spend time outdoors in order to have a good quality of life. What are the hours of operation? How do they handle participants who wander? How often must the participant attend and for how long? How involved can I be as a family member?
Find out what the requirements for admission are. These may include a health history and a physical may be necessary with a current (within the last year) TB test or chest x-ray. Take time to sit with the director or staff and go through all the processes prior to attending the day care.
Of course, taking care of a loved one with Alzeimer's can be very stressful and you may find yourself tired. Sometimes you need time away from your loved one to rejuvenate yourself. This will require making arrangements, which is where Adult Day Care comes in. This time off will allow you to invest some of your energy in your other relationships, to rest and recharge your physical and emotional batteries in order to maintain sanity and quality care for your loved one. Do the things you used to do before your loved one became ill. Have fun and enjoy yourself.
Your loved one will be in good hands and will get involved with other persons with Alzheimer's. They will be given the care they deserve and will enjoy a facility that caters to their needs and interests. You will find that your loved one looks forward to the day care to have fun, make friends (to the extent they are able), and will return home at the end of the day more relaxed.
Adult Day care may also help ease the way if one day you have to put your loved one in a nursing home. Some daycare centers are affiliated with nursing homes. The combination sometimes makes the transition into nursing home care much easier.
So, take time for yourself. You deserve it, and your loved one will notice your changes as well

Laser Hair Removal: Hair Raising Experience


More and more people are giving laser hair removal a shot! If you're not into this hot, new treatment, then you've come to the right place. Imagine never having to deal with messy creams. Imagine talking to the grocery clerk and not having her stare at the hair on your upper lip. Imagine never having to hide your precious parts at the beach.
Stop imagining! You can make your dreams of hairless summers and hairless winters come true. First of all I believe it's important for women and men to find out what causes abnormal hair growth before they start drastic measure to remove it. Doctors say hair usually grows abnormally due to hormones. Once you've determined whether you have health concerns related to your hair, then you can decide on the appropriate remedy.
I can tell you lasers are safe and effective in the removal of unwanted hair. A trained specialist can help you determine what treatment is best for you using your skin and hair type. With lasers you don't have to worry about shaving, tweezing, or waxing now and forever. Forever sounds like a long time, doesn't it? Lasers produce a beam of light that is used to remove hair. The light passes through the skin to the hair follicle. Once it gets to the hair it basically kills it. Neat, huh? The process only takes less than an hour.
Lasers are attracted to dark colors. You'll get the best results if your hair is darker than your complexion. You're wondering if the laser has any side effects. It does if you have a tan. Tanning and lasering leads to burning. Ouch, it really hurts so you'll want to beware of adding the two in combo. Also, it's important to note that the laser doesn't do a thing for blondes, white or gray haired people.
If you're not ready to give lasers a shot, then there are several other techniques on the market that can help you get rid of your hair-raising problem. Let's talk about the only permanent hair removal known to man right now. It's called electrolysis. If you're scared of needles, then this is not the treatment for you. You'll want to make sure that you have not waxed or tweezed within a few days of having a treatment. This makes the hair follicle easier for the electrologist to reach.
The electrologist inserts a tiny needle into each hair follicle and uses a short impulse of energy to kill the root. Sounds, cool, huh? The hair is tweezed out one at a time. Sounds like an awfully long process. However, it only takes a few hours. You will most likely need more than one treatment to kill all of your hair. There are electrolysis kits that you can use at home, but I wouldn't recommend it. You're better off using a licensed electrologist.
Speaking of problems, what's yours? Everyone has a specific area of the body where they want to be bald. Women usually hate facial hair on their upper lips, chin and sides of face. Hairs in those areas don't seem to bother men that much! Okay, I shouldn't joke about it! Hair on the lip is very troubling to most women. It can be removed using a bleaching procedure.
Bleaching works if your hair is similar in color to your skin. Be careful, bleaching lightens hair in dark complexions. I'll never forget someone with a dark complexion once asked me if she could use a depilatory creams on the lip. No way, don't even think! My response was fast and furious. Depilatories are harsh on sensitive skin and should never be placed on the lips or eyes areas.
The important thing to remember about depilatories is you should use them on the legs and thighs only. Depilatory creams dissolve the keratin in hair. As you can imagine that's some pretty strong stuff! Be sure to test patches of skin before you put the cream on. The cream can cause rashes and skin discolorations. It is possible to treat a negative reaction with an anti-bacterial solution and antibiotic.
Waxing on the other hand is a great way to remove hair from the legs and thighs and bikini area. Your skin will feel so clean, smooth and soft after this procedure. Waxing doesn't irritate your skin the way shaving and creams do. However, waxing is a temporary hair removal procedure. Waxing is similar to the sugaring procedure that is also temporary.
Sugaring is becoming more popular for people who want to be hairless in the bikini area. The sugar is warmed not at all like the high heat that's used in waxing. The warmed sugar is placed on the skin. Your technician will then remove the sugar with muslin strips. The sugar sticks mostly to the hair and not the skin. That makes it easier when it's time to remove the hair. I highly recommend sugaring because the red bumps and other skin irritations are minimized with it.
You're daring, right? You want a bikini wax, but you want it all over. Then, you'll have to try what is called a Brazilian bikini wax. Have you ever been to Brazil? The natives are not at all ashamed of their bodies. The Brazilian wax removes hair all over the pubic area including the labia and buttocks. You can tell your technician how far to go, or not go. A patch of hair is sometimes left above the vagina.
Now, the procedure for getting a Brazilian wax is the same just about as with a bikini wax. You'll be given a paper thong if you're a little shy to put on for Brazilian bikini wax. Your hair will be cut using some scissors. The wax is then put on using a wooden stick. Strips of cloth are used to take the hair off. Tweezers are sometimes used to pick away stray hairs. Some folk's say it hurts, others swear it works magic to improve their self-esteem and body image. You now have choices whether it's shavers and creams or lasers and wax. You no longer have to live with a hair-raising experience. Get rid of it! The choice is yours.

When is a Nursing Home Appropriate for the Alzheimer's Patient?


Caring for an Alzheimer's patient can be a huge burden. When it becomes too hard and too time consuming for you to take care of your loved one, it may be time to look for a nursing home.
When you feel comfortable, then you can start planning ahead which will help avoid crisis situations later. You may not ever need a nursing home, but act in a proactive manner just in case the day comes. It is well known that making decisions in a crisis situation can be very difficult and stressful on everyone, so make sure you plan ahead of time.
You may find information and a list of nursing homes in your area from your local Alzheimer's Association, or an elder law firm. They are most likely to have a list of facilities that offer dementia care or at least a dementia unit.
When you find the nursing home that will be the most appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer's, make sure you check the following: What is its appearance? When was their license accredited? Is the facility location convenient for you and your family for frequent visits? How does the staff react to questions -- are their greetings warm and welcoming, do they interact with your loved one? How well do the resident participants socialize with other people? Are visits allowed and are they encouraged? What is the staff ratio per patient? It should be at least 1 staff member for 8 persons. Is it possible to take a tour of the facility and the rooms? If there is a waiting list, how long will it take before your loved one can be accepted? Do they have a single room or do they share with another patient? Are these rooms furnished or unfurnished? If unfurnished, you will be able to bring your own furniture and decorate your room as wanted. Are there elevators? What kind of emergency plan do they have if a patient needs to be evacuated promptly? How do they handle patients that wander and what kind of security do they have?
These are some of the questions you can ask on your first visit. You can always come back later or give them a call later if you have other questions.
Another aspect of the nursing home to take into consideration is the financial issue. Most insurance companies will not cover these costs. When your loved one is being admitted in the nursing home you selected, the admittance staff will be able to assist you and discuss the payment options with you.
Make sure to ask what is included in the fees or contract: Is there an ongoing process for assessing a resident's need for services and how often are those needs evaluated? What additional services and staff are available if the resident's needs change? Is there an agreement available which discloses healthcare, accommodations, personal care and supportive services, all fees, and admission and discharge provisions, emergency services if necessary? Is there any government or other programs available that may help covering the costs? What happens if funds are used up and full payments can no longer be made. Does the facility accept Medicaid?
You want as well to have a good knowledge of the environment and the type of healthcare your loved one is going to receive: What type of healthcare and personal care are available? Do they have routine exams available, like vision and dental? What is the qualification of the staff members? Is the staff available to assist residents who experience memory loss or disorientation, and how do they handle it? Does the staff take care of the doctor's appointments? Do they drive them over there and wait for them?
There is one more thing to consider when deciding if the nursing home is appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer's. Will he/she be happier than at home? Many people do quite well in nursing homes.
Once your loved one enters the nursing home, he/she can still leave for short trips to sleep over at family and friends. If he/she is unhappy, a transfer to another facility or a return home with assisted living may be an option.
You may also doubt how beneficial a dementia care unit can be for your loved one who has Alzheimer's. If the dementia unit is developed and staffed correctly, it can be very valuable. The idea of a dementia care unit is to provide specialized care. This includes staff training specifically for dementia, smaller units to ease feelings of being overwhelmed, a quieter environment to prevent over-stimulation, and a locked unit safe for wandering and pacing. Wandering and pacing are symptoms that most Alzheimer's patients experience. Instead of trying to stop them from this behavior, dementia units let them continue it in safe surroundings. Most facilities for Alzheimer's care have their own activity director and many times the direct care staff are also trained to participate in activities with the residents with dementia.
To obtain more information on facilities in your area that offer dementia care units for Alzheimer's patients, contact your state's Department on Aging.

An ADD Case Study: When the Pace Picks Up, Learn to Slow Down


The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds. The summer is coming to a close, and it's back to school, work, and the other things that we haven't put as much effort into since Memorial Day. Many ADDers welcome this shift, as boredom sets in around August and we long for something bigger to keep us occupied. But while the opportunity to dive into new projects and situations is exciting, it can also become quickly overwhelming.
One way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all the extra activities that September brings is by remembering to schedule in personal "down time." This means taking a chunk of time for yourself each and every day to relax, unwind, and plan.
"Anna" is a client of mine who has given me permission to share her story. I've been coaching Anna for a while, and we just resumed our work together after a month off. Anna owns a business selling her own artwork. She also has a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a parrot. Her business, like many, is slow in the summer months, which works out well for her because she can spend extra time with her kids. Just two weeks ago, though, she started to see more orders coming in from her website for custom-made designs, and she panicked.
"All of a sudden, I realized that I had just one week to take my kids school clothes shopping AND school supply shopping, get Butter [the dog] to the vet because he can't seem to stop scratching his ear, meet with the new web designer and get him the materials he's going to need, and find the time to make and ship two products which I wasn't expecting orders for. This is in addition to all the OTHER stuff I have to do, like grocery shop, cook, clean up, and spend time with my family.
So what did I do? I freaked out. Instead of getting to work, I sat on the couch and watched talk shows."
Although the details and tasks will be different for everyone, this is a familiar tale for ADDers. Life seems to be rolling along fine and then, out of nowhere, the to-do list seems too big to handle. Overwhelm sets in, and it's easy to shut down under the weight of the pressure.
Anna and I discussed this challenge, and the fact that she's dealt with it before. In fact, every year at this time, she finds herself even more overwhelmed than usual. When I reminded her of this, she responded with amazement. "You know, you're right! And when this happened last year, what helped was taking time out for myself."
It did help. I remember talking with Anna and encouraging her to slow down and take care of herself. She protested, like many ADDers do, "How can I possibly slow down when I have so much to do?"
But the truth of the matter is that slowing down helps an ADDer get centered, de-stress, and gain control. So Anna and I worked out some ways that she could slow down, and make life about more than her to-do list, even though there was a lot to be done. We decided she would:
Go to the gym in the morning, because she likes to work out and she finds it helps keep her stress levels down
Find a babysitter and go on a "date" with her husband one night a week, because she likes to spend quality time with her husband
Take 15 minutes every evening before bed to plan out the tasks that she can reasonably accomplish the next day, because she likes to feel in control of her time
"It really helped," Anna said as she remembered her life at this time last year. "I was having fun so I wasn't so stressed all the time, and so all the things I had to do seemed more manageable. And once I established a planning routine, I didn't feel frustrated or surprised by new things when they came up."
Anna decided that she needed to implement this "slow-down" time once again. It's only been a day, but she went back to the gym, scheduled lunch and a movie with her husband for Sunday, the kids have their school supplies, and Butter's itchy ear has been treated!
When I asked permission to share her story, Anna offered this tip: "Tell your readers that planning is the thing that really makes all the difference! Sometimes I need to slow down in order to speed up."

The Top 10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination


When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and projects can seem like torture! This feeling usually leads to procrastination, and procrastination often leads to guilt. Here are some practical ways to avoid these situations and overcome procrastination:
1. Recharge Daily
Be sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have the necessary energy you need to accomplish your tasks.
2. Get a Friend Involved
It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. If you have a task you aren't looking forward to, invite a friend over to help you out. If you have errands to run, find a buddy who you can run errands with.
3. Reward Yourself
You're much more likely to complete that boring task if there is a dinner out or a new CD waiting for you when (and only when) the task is complete.
4. Do Things in Pieces
Procrastination often comes from feelings of overwhelm. Break tasks, even small ones, into steps so that they are manageable and provide you with a sense of direction.
5. Use Music
Turn on some fun and upbeat music and let it pump you up! 80s music and showtunes are often great pick-me-ups that will give you needed energy to tackle your tasks.
6. Don't Be Afraid to do 2 Things at Once
Don't be afraid to balance routine or monotonous tasks with something that is more likely to hold your interest. You can pay bills while you watch TV, or talk on the phone while cleaning up the house.
7. Delegate
Do you find yourself procrastinating on chores at home like cleaning and laundry? Or maybe paperwork at the office? Delegate them! Kids, cleaning people, laundry services, administrative assistants and more are all available to take some of those boring tasks off your list and free up your time for the stuff you'd rather be doing.
8. Prioritize
Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really not that important. Maybe you'd love to re-organize your book shelves, but never get around to it. If it sounds like a good idea but in the end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head.
9. Get in Touch with the End Result
Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with the outcome. When the task is finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result?
10. Just Do It!!
Don't think about it too much, just jump in and get it done!

Why haven.t you been told about the AMAS Test?


With all the media talk about prostate surgery vs. taking drugs for prostate problems, you would think those are your only two options.
If information like this can save one more person from making a mistake with their prostate health, it will be worth taking the time to educate yourself on this important subject.
Are you aware that you can avoid surgery and drugs with proper testing in the first place?
Let's take a look at the facts when it comes to testing for prostate problems and look beyond the media headlines.
Better testing leads to more accurate information and a better diagnosis about the health of your prostate. And one of the keys is early detection with the RIGHT tests.
The most commonly MIS-used test is the PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen test.
Prostate-specific antigen - is a protein which is naturally produced by the prostate gland. Prostate tumors typically cause over-production of PSA, so when a blood test reveals an elevated level of the protein, it's a red flag that warns of possible problems.
Both cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH which is a swelling of the prostate, can increase PSA levels.
What doctors usually do next is to recommend a biopsy. This is the next step toward trouble. Prostate biopsies are painful procedures that can result in bleeding and infection which only worsens your problem – if you even have one.
And recent evidence shows that most of these biopsies are completely unnecessary.
In a 2003 study from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, researchers set out to determine if fluctuations in PSA levels would reveal a single PSA test result to be unreliable on its own.
The conclusions of this 4 year study revealed that an isolated PSA screening with an elevated level should be followed with an additional screening several weeks later before proceeding with further testing or a biopsy.
Because the problem with a single PSA test is that PSA levels normally fluctuate and having just one test leads to over diagnosis of prostate problems.
Here is where the AMAS test is significantly better.
A more sensible and dependable way to screen for prostate cancer is a blood test called the anti-malignin antibody screen (AMAS). Anti-malignan antibody levels become elevated when any cancer cells are present in the body.
Most importantly, these levels rise early in the development of cancer cells, which means that cancer can sometimes be detected several months before other clinical tests might find it.
With an accuracy rate of more than 95 percent, the AMAS test is much more reliable than the PSA test. And the best way to detect prostate problems is a SERIES of PSA tests (as the Sloan- Kettering Trial concluded), WITH the AMAS test.
This powerful combination of tests will allow you to avoid false alarms which lead to painful biopsies, drugs and unnecessary painful surgery.
The more you learn about these tests, the more you will feel compelled to implement them.
You can find out more about the AMAS test at http://www.amascancertest.com.
As you can see, these are important tests to take over a period of time which can save you from unnecessary surgery and drugs.
Take control of your own health by educating yourself about tests, treatments and nutrition so that you can become more healthy and stay healthier in the long run.

Discover the Secrets of Feeling Refreshed, Revived and Ready to Take On Lifes Challenges... The Easy Way


Sleep Deprivation is an insidious problem that is spreading among populations young and old alike.
Though an occasional bout of insomnia is quite normal, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious illness and even injury. Sleep deprivation has been attributed to thousands of automobile accidents, on the job accidents and poor decision making.
People who are sleep deprived tend to be irritable and often angry, thus their behavior is often profoundly influenced by the adverse effects of sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation can be attributed to a number of causes including: Stress High Paced Lifestyle Poor Eating Habits Physiological Sleep Disorders Shift Work Illness
Lost production time, accidents and physician costs are rising as more and more people are suffering from sleep problems. Studies suggest that a majority of the population is chronically sleep deprived.
Why sleep?
Sleep is necessary for brain cells to regenerate and for body systems to recover from their daily work. Sleep also rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit; prepping you for the challenges you will face day in and day out.
Not sure if your one of the thousands of people suffering from sleep deprivation? Take our sleep challenge test.
Sleep Test Do you fall asleep within a minute or two of lying down? Do you have a hard time remembering obvious details? Do you feel anxious or groggy? Do you often find yourself lethargic? Would you describe your health as poor? Are you often moody, angry or tearful?
If you answered yes to any of these questions there is a possibility that you may not be getting a good nights rest.
Secrets of a Sound Nights Sleep
So what do you do if you are one of the millions of chronically sleep deprived beings wandering the earth?
There are several steps you can take to ensure that you get a good nights sleep. You can even get a sound nights sleep on just a few hours of quality rest every night. No matter who you are or what you do, there is hope.
Efficient sleepers have known for years that there are secrets to sleeping well.
Some of the more common strategies employed by sound sleepers include the following: Creation of a bedtime routine. Use of a bedroom sanctuary. Minimal stimulation late in the evening. Avoidance of excessive stimulants several hours prior to bedtime. Minimal alcohol consumption up to two hours before bedtime.
There are hundreds of things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep. Natural supplements including melatonin have been used by shift workers and travelers for years to improve the quality of their sleep when outside of their normal sleep environment.
The key to a good nights sleep is figuring out what works for you and then sticking with it. Remember a good nights sleep is well worth the small effort it takes to create a routine. A life lived recharged and revived is worth living.

Overweight - Answering Your Critics


There are those that walk amongst us who have followed all the advice, diligently dieted and exercised with genuine effort for long periods of time, yet still fail to lose their excess weight.
Even more heartbreaking for those of us who genuinely struggle with obesity are the accusations of sloth and laziness from those thin people who eat junk all day long and show no physical sign of their own gluttony. *Why can*t you just be like everyone else?*, they demand. *It must be all your own fault.*
*After all,* they say in derisory voice, *Losing weight is easy. Just eat less and exercise more. If you don*t lose weight, you are just weak willed.*
Every person who has never had a real problem thinks they know all the easy answers. All those underlying unwarranted generalisations we face from others just about every day of our lives is a little recognised yet very real and severe form of discrimination, based on the same types of wrong thinking as prejudice against race, skin color, creed, gender, and other well recognised forms of hatred.
In fact, life experience has taught me that the less a person *actually* knows about obesity and weight loss, the more they *think* they know.
I spent time a few years ago under the care of some of the most distinguished and knowledgable internationally renowned Professors researching weight loss and obesity from the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Albert Hospital*s Obesity Clinic in Sydney, Australia. I will always remember what Professor Ian Caterson told me one day: The more we learn about obesity, the more we realise how little we really understand and how much more there is to discover.*
Would any of those permanently thin critics care to explain a man with whom I shared many physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions during my time on the program at the Obesity Clinic? He was normal down the left side of his body, though obese down the right side of his body only.
Next time someone verbally berates you for carrying excess body weight and tries to tell you how easy it is to be lean & trim, try asking them what they would recommend to that man that some of the top obesity researchers in the world don*t yet know.
Then, while your critic is looking dumbfounded and fumbling for some feeble explanation, hit them with a few more questions, such as:
- Why do large birth weight babies have a dramatically higher rate of obesity than normal birth weight babies?
- And, given the above, just what control do you think I*ve got over my birth weight?
- Do you know what your metabolic rate is? If not, why do you presume to think you know mine?
- Do you think everyone has identical norepinephrine levels? Oh, you don*t even know what norepinephrine is, huh?
- Why do some people gain weight during stressful times while other people lose weight, irrespective of their eating patterns?
- How do you expect an overweight person to even be capable of greater physical activity than a normal weight person?
- Name me five minerals (not vitamins) that are vital for hormonal function, and explain which of these hormones has a different effect on brain signals related to appetite and metabolism.
- Tell me what you know about Insulin Resistance Syndrome, what causes it, what its symptoms are, and how to treat it.
- What has the least nutrient value to the human body - (a) 100 calories of pure fat, (b) 100 calories of pure protein, or (c) 100 calories of pure carbohydrate? (By the way - Your critic will probably answer Fat. The correct answer is C. The human body actually requires fats and proteins for various metabolic and physiological functions. Pure carbohydrate has no known unique use in the human body as the body can convert either fats or proteins as required into blood glucose, as it does with carbohydrate.)
- Some of the most successful business people, scientists, philosophers and artists in the course of human history have struggled with obesity. Why do you think such successful and influential people who have changed the course of the world as we know it today are *weak willed*?
When you see the jaw of your critic drop to the floor, as they turn pale and look like they*ve been hit by a runaway train, when their silence shows that their ignorance and prejudice has been thoroughly exposed, just calmly walk away.
At this point, both of you now know that, even though you may be carrying excessive body weight, it is your critic who has the bigger problem.

Losing Weight is Like Eating Ice Cream


"Life is like a box of chocolates," drawled Forrest Gump.
Metaphors are great. Writers use them all the time because, simply put, they get your attention and really drive a point home.
That's because life and a box of chocolates have as much in common as French Toast for breakfast and a French Toast to your health.
But you know a punch line is coming to connect the dots and relate two ridiculously unrelated things. So you wait, listening sharply to catch the thread that makes it make sense.
"You never know what you are going to get." Aaahhh, riiigghhtt!
The mismatch, mental twisting, and surprise resolution slam the point home. There. That's the micro-anatomy of our most common literary tool. So how about a metaphor for eating healthy?
Losing weight is like eating a single scoop death-by-chocolate ice cream cone. Okay, that nailed the "man, this strains reason" part. But now let me explain.
First of all, real connoisseurs know that you must linger over your ice cream: chasing runners, keeping it off the pavement, and pushing it right to the bottom of the cone without bathing in it. These are all vital factors. It's a process.
And that's the point. It just takes time, and when you're finished with that ball, you think … perfect!
Now imagine that same single scoop of ice cream, but this time placed in the deep empty hollow of a cereal bowl. We see it down there, sad and lonely, and invariably decide that it needs 3 more scoop buddies.
That's because we believe we are getting gypped somehow if our food doesn't fill the space.
Now. What does this have to do your dinner tonight? Well, the space you serve your food in matters. If you put dinner on a gigantic platter, you'll end up with helpings 2, 3, and 4 on the plate all at the same time. And if it's in front of you … you're going to eat it.
So a basic message you can take home and try tonight is simply to begin on smaller plates. This trick exploits one of the bedrock laws of the Universe.
There's four of them in all: E=MC2, Finder's Keeper's, The Conservation of Matter and Energy, and the big one – Your Eyes Are Bigger Than Your Stomach.
Simply handling this last law prevents the drastic overeating so typical of American buffet trough-feeders. And, repealing this law of nature doesn't require any higher math or even a physics degree.
Take the first step to solving your portion problems by beginning with a smaller space for your food. Next, eat your food like you eat your ice cream – a little at a time. Enjoy it by making it last.
Small bites increase the length and pleasure of the meal. When your focus is more on enjoyment than consumption, that smaller amount becomes … perfect!
Your calories drop with your portion sizes and you love your food more – just like lingering over your single scoop death-by-chocolate ice cream cone!
Aaahhh, riiigghhtt!

Tired Of Struggling To Lose Weight?


There are many factors that cause us to increase body weight, yet three stand out from the rest.
Our genetic make: Every cell in our body has a central control panel, that is a nucleus that contains our genes and chromosomes. This is the instruction manual for your body and this is inherited from your parents. It is this instruction manual that is largely responsible for how your body, and even your mind, behaves.
The environment in which we live: Our personal environment may also contribute or cue you to adopt poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true in today's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience. For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliances make us less physically active. Also, greater availability and the constant marketing of foods that are high in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizes promote unhealthy eating behaviors.
There may also be personal reasons why you are consuming too many kilojoules from food and drinks, or not being physically active enough. For example, when feeling down or bored you may eat more than you need, or if you are feeling depressed it is more difficult to get active.
Knowing the reason why you may be consuming excess kilojoules or not participating in physical activity, is an important first step in changing your lifestyle habits to help you reach a healthy weight.
Our lifestyle: What we eat and drink and how active we are. This is the gradual gain in weight as a result of eating food and not exercising enough.
The extent to which we can affect our genetic make up and our environment are limited. However, lifestyle is the area in which we can significantly manage and if need be, improve our body weight to ensure we maintain a healthy weight for our height, age and gender. This is why learning a healthy nutritious eating pattern and adopting it for life, that is, lifestyle changes has a significant impact on our ability to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Gaining and losing weight works according to some a simple biological principle. When you consume more energy in the form of food and drinks that your body uses each day you will gain weight. When you consume less energy in the form of food and drinks that your body requires each day you will lose weight.
Despite what some advertisers would have use believe, weight loss does not occur as a result of any of the following: Supplements that will melt the fat while you sleep or while you wash Exercises that don't take any effort and cause no sweat Unique food combinations that will allow you to eat what you want and still lose weight
In order to lose weight you will need to know approximately your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). Your RMR is the number of calories your body burns at rest in a 24 hour period. When your body gets about 500 less calories than it needs each day as a result of eating less or exercising more, you will lose one pound of weight per week. To illustrate how efficient the human body is in motion, the average female would need to go for a brisk walk for 1.5 to 2.0 hours in order to burn 500 calories.
When you consume 500 calories a day more than your body's requirements, you will gain approximately one pound a week! To illustrate how easy it is to gain weight, one 7oz bag of corn chips has approximately 1000 calories. If you ate a bag of corn chips every day in addition to three square meals its possible you could gain 2 pounds in a week!

Health News From Hurricane Beaten Florida


The hurricanes have been beating Florida to a pulp and causing untold property damage in that area of the country.
I have two good friends who live in the Tampa area, so I've been calling down there frequently to check on things.
I've already told you much about my friend Matt. And as you know, he and his family were over in China for awhile, so they missed much of the action (which is a good thing)
But my other good friend, Chet Rowland lives in Clearwater Beach, and he didn't miss a thing.
In fact, I was watching my local news here in Seattle a couple weeks ago, and here's this reporter doing a story on the Florida hurricanes.
But here's the catch…
She's standing on Clearwater Beach, with the pier in the background, trying to stay on her feet as the wind is howling through at incredible speeds.
I couldn't believe it!
Not just because of the winds, but because I saw the pier in the background.
I recognized that pier, because it's just down the beach from where my friend Chet lives..
So what do I do?
I immediately pick up the phone and give him a call.
Isn't it funny how we react when we're concerned about those we care about?
As the story unfolded, Chet, and those who live in that area didn't fair too badly. But there were plenty of others who were seriously hurt by the hurricanes.
In fact, Chet even commented, "I'll bet you're going to have a lot of people from this area calling you as a result of these hurricanes."
And he was right.
You see, in addition to running the Health Articles and News Update site, I'm also an indoor air quality expert, and my specialty is in black mold.
I work with people across the country, showing them how to locate, clean-up and prevent mold growth in their homes and workplaces.
Anyways, let me get on with the story.
I think it was only a couple days after I'd talked with Chet.
I get this email from a client in Florida.
She starts telling me how she had bought some of my products a few months ago (before the hurricanes). I'll just go ahead and share it with you.
Here it is…
Kevin, I've been having health problems for months. After watching a news story on black mold, it got me thinking.
I then went on the internet and started doing some research and that's when I found your website at www.getmoldsolutions.com.
I was a little skeptical to order anything online, but since you had that 30-day trial offer, I decided to give you a try.
I got your package in the mail and was amazed by everything you covered. You took me step by step through the process and made it so easy for me to find the mold problem in my home.
It ended up being water leak from the washing machine that was causing all the damage.
We got it fixed, and now I've never felt better. You have no idea what it's like to have my health back again, and I want to thank you for that.
And now, with all these hurricanes, a lot of our friends will be needing your help too.
I'm helping them as much as I can, but I'm no expert, so I'm also telling them how to get in touch with you.
I'm so glad there are still people like you in this world who are willing to help others, especially in a time like this.
Betty Wiggins
And she wasn't kidding either.
It's like Chet and Betty both had a vision of the future.
We've had tons of people calling from the Florida area, and we've been making sure they get the help they need.
You see, people in Florida are now forced to deal with the water damage that's been done to their homes because it's so extensive.
But most people don't realize how important it is to take care of any water damage, and to do so right away!
Water problems that aren't addressed will escalate into a full blown mold problem, and this puts you and everyone in your home at risk.
Because the demand has been so high, I'm offering a no-charge teleseminar on October 11th in order to help get this valuable information into your hands.
If you (or anyone you know) needs to find out how to wipe out the black mold threat in your home, you won't want to miss out on this.
Here's just some of the topics we'll be discussing: The 5 tell-tale danger signs of black mold... any one of these puts you, your family, and your home at risk How to find out if black mold is the cause of your health problems -- without a visit to the doctor's office The 3-step method to locating mold... that anyone can do, without spending a fortune to hire a professional
You can get information and register by going here
http://www.getmoldsolutions.com/black_mold_teleconference.html

Addressing The Cause And Finding A Cure: Why Cause is Everything When It Comes To Low Back Pain


There is an epidemic, at least in the States when it comes to treating back pain. Most doctors do just that... treat back pain rather than finding and eliminating the cause.
You can treat your symptoms for an eternity, and you may feel better for a short period of time. To truly get at the heart of the matter though, you have to find and eliminate the cause of low back pain.
I*ll let you in on a little secret. Most chronic low back pain can be resolved in six weeks or less. It*s true!
A majority of chronic low back pain is caused by simple factors including: Poor Posture Injury Muscle Imbalances Improper Lifting Extra Weight
Let*s take a look at each of these more closely.
Poor Posture
Posture is everything when it comes to back pain. Good posture results in stability and strength. Bad posture results in back pain. Many people can alleviate chronic back pain simply by taking the time to improve their posture. You probably can too!
Injury
We are all subject to injury at one time or another. You can work toward preventing injury in certain circumstances however. A lot of the injuries that result in low back pain are caused by improper lifting techniques. You may be lifting a heavy box, or you may be lifting a heavy weight without warming up adequately. Either way, if you injure yourself you are subject to back pain. What can you do to improve your chances for recovery? One of the best things you can do is exercise. You should incorporate stretching activities into your daily regimen. By doing so you will condition your back and are les likely to get injured, and more likely to recover faster when you do get injured.
Muscle Imbalances
Muscle Imbalances occur when two muscles that oppose each other are unequally matched. If you exercise your back regularly for example, but never exercise your stomach, you body will be in a state of imbalance. No matter how strong your back is in this situation, you are going to be subject to back pain. Eliminate the muscle imbalances through rehabilitation and proper exercise and you stand a good chance of eliminating back pain.
Improper Lifting
OK, go back and re-read the section on injury. You need to lift correctly in order to avoid injury. NEVER bend from the waist when picking something up off of the floor, even if it is a feather. Always bend from the knees, and use your leg and abdominal muscles to support you when lifting an object. Many improper lifting injuries actually occur in the gym. This happens when a person attempts to lift a weight that is too heavy or fails to warm up properly. You can avoid these injuries by paying close attention to technique at all times.
Extra Weight
Carrying around a few extra pounds may not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to back pain it could mean the difference between no back pain and chronic back pain. Even if you are carrying around just ten extra pounds, your body will have to shift and redistribute itself to accommodate the extra weight. Consider losing the extra weight, and you may realize your back pain soon follows.

Avoid Commont Fitness Pitfalls

While exercising isn't complicated, it's very easy to make mistakes. Often times the mistakes are made because of lack of proper technique training or simply due to rushing to get the workout completed. Regardless of the reason for the mistakes, they can lead to injuries or at the very least be counter-productive to your fitness goals.
Of course it's important to know specifically what to do to be successful at meeting your health and fitness goals but it is also crucial to understand what not to do. So take note of the following common mistakes and how to avoid them. These tips will help ensure your workout time is effective and help prevent injuries.
Too Much, Too Soon
Many new exercisers try to lose weight or tone up too quickly, by exercising too frequently or trying exercise programs that are too difficult for their fitness level. Be sure to start with an exercise plan that takes your current fitness regimen (or lack of) into account.
Pie In The Sky Goals
Despite what many advertisers would like you to believe, it's unrealistic to think you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days or that you can have Hollywood abs simply by doing 10 minutes of crunches a day. It's good to set goals but be sure they aren't too aggressive and realize it's okay to periodically re-define them.
Ignoring Expert Advice
It's always advisable to consult your physician before starting an exercise program. Working with a fitness professional is also a good idea so you can learn proper technique, the latest fitness information and learn how to avoid injuries.
Over-Exercising
If you start to feel overwhelmed, neglect important daily activities in order to workout or repeatedly get injured, then it might be due to exercising too frequently. Realize the importance of balance and that more is not always better. Consider reducing the frequency of your workouts or the intensity of some of them and periodically resting for a few days or a week.
Improper Breathing
Sure, breathing is an involuntary bodily function; something that most individuals tend to ignore. But, breathing correctly during fitness sessions is very important. Incorrect breathing can lead to lack of oxygen and even faintness. When working out ensure that you don't breathe too shallowly and try to breathe through the nose and out the mouth.
Selecting The Wrong Size
Choosing the proper weight size when strength training is trickier then it sounds. Lifting weights that are too heavy for you can lead to improper form and ultimately to injuries. Use weights that are too light and the exercise session can be ineffective. If possible consult a fitness trainer to determine the correct amount of weight for your size, strength and goals. A trainer can also help you develop a plan for safely progressing forward on weight sizes.
Not Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough water on a daily basis is important. When you exercise you need to consume even more water. You should drink 16 ounces for every hour of exercise you complete. Plus you should try to consume 1-2 cups of water about 30 minutes before you begin working out.
Eating Too Little
No, that's not a typo. Not eating enough can be as detrimental as eating too much. When the body is not fed consistently, it goes into a starvation mode. Five to six smaller meals evenly spaced throughout the day helps keep the metabolism running smoothly. Just be sure to control portion size.
Hanging Out Instead Of Working Out
Just showing up at the gym is not going to help you get more fit. Socializing while leaning on a weight machine won't build muscles. It's important to enjoy your exercise time but make sure that the focus remains on physical activity.
Fixating On The Scale
If you think the scale doesn't lie, consider this. Many professional athletes would be considered obese based on their weight alone. Look at the bigger and more relevant picture. Monitor your body fat percentage, if possible. Otherwise track measurements. Also don't underestimate the importance of improved physical and mental well-being.

What is normal about hair loss?

It is important to note that shedding of hairs is a natural process with anything from 100 to 300 hairs randomly shed each day. In this article we'll look at two distinct aspects of normal hair loss. Firstly, we'll examine what is actually involved in the hair growth cycle. Secondly, we'll assess the natural progression of hair loss over time.
Hair is composed of long, twisted keratin fibers that are protected by a coating of keratinized cells. Just below the surface of the skin lies a cluster of active cells known as the dermal papilla and it is from here that the hair grows into its follicle.
This growing fiber eventually hardens and grows out from the scalp. At this stage the hair fiber is dead with only the root tip containing living cells.
In a little more detail, the hair growth cycle, consists of three distinct stages:
1. Anagen stage - a phase of growth that can last between two and seven years. On average, each hair grows about six inches (15cm) per year.
2. Catagen stage - a phase of transition that lasts roughly two to four weeks. At this time the hair shaft detaches from the dermal papilla and moves up within a shrinking follicle.
3. Telogen stage - a resting period that lasts about three months allowing the hair to detach itself from the follicle before falling out. After this, the cycle repeats itself unless other factors intervene to prevent repetition of the cycle.
Clearly time has a role to play in the development of hair loss for both men and women. Humans are born with varying amounts of soft and fine body hair. Through time some of this hair becomes stronger and develops further characteristics such as colour and texture. Up to the onset of puberty the hairline is characterized by a low spread across the forehead. For men, this continues only for a few more years.
As men progress through their twenties the hairline takes on a more mature look typified by recessions to the frontal temporal regions and accompanied by slight thinning elsewhere. This concave appearance doesn't necessarily equate to premature balding as it is all a question of degree.
The Norwood Scale is an extremely useful tool in developing a hair growth strategy as it allows you to establish your own degree of hair loss in a way that is understood by physicians and other hair loss experts. More importantly, it can help to set your mind at rest and allow you to differentiate between normal hair loss that does not require remedial action and more extreme loss that calls for immediate action.
You can assess the extent of your own hair loss by following the link below.
Please go to Normal Hair Loss to find out more about the issues covered in this article.

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