Gerard E. Mullin, M.D.: Your Good Gut Guide to a Healthy New Year

Gerard E. Mullin, M.D.: Your Good Gut Guide to a Healthy New Year

Come fall, our days and nights begin to revolve around friends, family, parties and, of course, food! Of course, by the time New Year's Day rolls around, most of us are repentant, willing to do whatever it takes to make this year the year we get and stay healthy -- only to slide back into those bad habits all too soon. Making -- and keeping -- healthy resolutions can be challenging, but even more important for people who are coping with preexisting digestive conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Fortunately, with a few key lifestyle changes, you can keep your gut healthy all year long.

1. Manage stress. It's near impossible to eliminate stress from our lives: From busy work schedules, to family obligations, to financial worries, sources of stress and anxiety are everywhere. There's a solid connection between stress and illness: Stress promotes higher cortisol levels, which have been linked to weight gain. And stress can also play a huge role in many digestive problems, particularly GERD and IBS. Research shows that anxiety, depression and stress provoke symptoms in up to 60 percent of people with IBS, and that stress management tools such as deep breathing, relaxation and hypnosis are helpful. Likewise, GERD has been linked to underlying anxiety and stress is clearly associated with worsened symptomatology. These are reasons to be more cautious of managing stress if you have GERD and or IBS.

First, be realistic about what you can accomplish, rather than being overambitious with your schedule. Consider scheduling time for a massage, a hot bath with lavender oil and soothing music, or perhaps just a long walk while stargazing or some quiet time watching a movie or reading a book. And try to fit in seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep is necessary to help combat stress, boost energy and regulate appetite.

2. Eat in moderation. Perhaps the most challenging resolution for many people is making healthy food choices while avoiding splurges that pack on the pounds and cause digestive symptoms to flare. First, keep balance, variety and moderation in your eating habits. Take your time and try not to eat too fast: Slowing down and eating more mindfully helps prevent overeating. You will feel full much sooner than if you will if you race through your meals. Remember, it takes your brain 20 minutes to realize that your stomach is full. Don't bring unhealthy food into your home and -- if you do indulge in occasional snacks or sweets -- put one serving on a napkin and leave the box or bag of treats in the pantry. If the food is out of sight, it is more likely to be out of mind.

And you can make healthy food choices while still enjoying a delicious meal. Select fresh vegetables and low-fat dips before a meal, and offer fresh fruit as part of your dessert. The combination of high-fat and acidic foods (pizza, lasagna, meatballs, fajitas) is particularly notorious for aggravating heartburn. Favor lean protein sources such as turkey, which also is high in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps combat anxiety and depression. Berries are high in antioxidants and don't cause excessive spikes in blood sugar. When cooking, think about using spices that help calm the gut and aid digestion such as ginger, fennel and mint.

Think about eating nuts as a snack instead of sweets, particularly if you have IBS: Sweets can cause gas and trigger IBS symptoms. If you're worried about the high fat content of nuts, don't be. Yes, they are rich in calories, but they increase your sense of fullness rather easily. In fact, women who consume two or more handfuls of nuts per week have a slightly lower risk of obesity than those who eat nuts less frequently or not at all, according to findings from the long-running Nurses' Health Study at the Harvard School of Public Health. When it comes to dessert, choose dark chocolate for its cardioprotective and mood-enhancing benefits. Try to limit alcoholic drinks, which are calorie rich and stress the gut, and keep hydrated with water or club soda with a twist of lemon or lime instead. Choose gut-calming herbal teas (i.e. chamomile) after dinner over caffeinated beverages, which can exacerbate IBS and GERD symptoms. Balancing your food intake will help you stay more in control of your digestion.

3. Exercise. It's easy to cut back on exercise when you're busy. However, getting physical activity will not only help shed the pounds you may have gained over the holidays, but it can also help moderate stress and boost mood, which help combat IBS and GERD. You don't need to wait until the weather improves. Many join a gym as a new year's resolution only to stop going after a few weeks. Wintertime activities include skating, sledding, skiing, walking in the mall or outdoors, dancing and working out in a gym or at an exercise class. Bundle up and take a walk around the neighborhood and you'll burn 324 calories in an hour. So choose some activities that you enjoy and get moving. Try to maintain a set schedule for exercise to help boost your metabolism, mood and energy.

I hope that these health tips help you ring in the new year in good gut health.

Follow Gerard E. Mullin, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drmullin

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Tava Tea – Follow These Tips For Fast And Proven Weight Loss!

Tava Tea – Follow These Tips For Fast And Proven Weight Loss!

Green Tea And Weight Loss
Weight loss can be a touchy subject for a lot of people, losing weight isn’t as easy as it may sound. The thing about knowing how to properly lose weight is that you have to learn as much as you can about how you can lose weight. You want to keep on the lookout for tips that you can apply towards losing weight, tips like the ones in this article.

Find an outfit that you really like that does not fit yet and hang it somewhere in your kitchen. This will help you keep your goal in mind as you go to the kitchen to get something to eat. If you are reminded of what you would be able to wear when you go to get something to eat, you are sure to make better choices about what you eat.

Losing weight takes a considerable amount of time and so you should celebrate each small victory. Remember to take notes of your clothes size, your actual weight and even your measurements. This will help you to stay motivated as the inches will probably start decreasing much faster than the pounds.

To keep from overindulging when eating out, plan what you’re going to eat ahead of time. When you look at a menu, it’s easy to be tempted by the fatty appetizers or high calorie deserts. Instead, decide on what you want and avoid spending time on the menu. Make sure to pick something you enjoy so you aren’t tempted by the meals of the people you’re dining with.

When it comes to losing weight you want to make sure you not only learn more tips you can apply to your weight loss goals, you want to make sure you implement them into your everyday life. It is only through application of the weight loss tips you know that you can hope to be successful. So try your best to apply the knowledge you just learned and you should see results before you know it.

Read More about click here Dieters Tea

Flatter Abs - Easy???

Source: www.fastweightloss4u.com

Lose Weight By Including Appropriate Diet And Exercise

Lose Weight By Including Appropriate Diet And Exercise

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JJ Virgin: Pick a New Resolution: 12 Strategies to Survive the Holidays Without New Year's Regrets

JJ Virgin: Pick a New Resolution: 12 Strategies to Survive the Holidays Without New Year's Regrets

Holidays mean giving gifts and getting fat. Between the mandatory alcohol-soaked company party, your aunt's Paula Deen-inspired dinner, and the dreaded annual Golden Corral family get-together, the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's create a fat-fueled purgatory.

You won't be surprised, then, to learn a study in the journal Nutrition Reviews showed those infamous six weeks explained 51 percent of your annual weight gain.[1]

Stop using the holidays to indulge in every Santa sugar cookie and eggnog custard that comes your way. Follow these 12 easy strategies and despite whatever regrets you have come New Year's Day, those hated 20 extra pounds won't be one of them.

1. Journal daily. I had all of the ultimate weight loss challengers on the Dr. Phil show do this because it works. Writing every bite you eat holds you accountable and ensures you don't "forget" that pumpkin-cranberry tart you whimsically devoured at your kids' semester-end party.

2. Weigh in weekly. You don't need to become a slave to the scale, but it will keep you honest and make you think twice before you devour a peppermint bark brownie. Check in once a week with a scale that measures weight as well as BMI, fat and lean mass. And record your results in your food journal.

3. Have a high-stakes contest. Here's another cool trick weight-loss participants used on Dr. Phil that puts the kibosh on mid-afternoon apple cider doughnut pitfalls. You and participating co-workers pool the money you normally spend on Krispy Kremes and other holiday junkfetes offices indulge in. Schedule weekly weigh-ins, make it fun and right before you wish everyone a happy New Year the biggest loser gets the money. You work hard for that year-end bonus, so why not also prioritize your health?

4. Stick with the skinnies. Think about the five people you spend the most time with. Guess what? You are a conglomerate of those people. So if your best girlfriend's idea of a night out involves Cheesecake Factory and oversized margaritas, chances are you're making a New Year's resolution about now for fast fat loss. During the holidays, hang out with friends who skip pumpkin lattes to sip green tea and prefer manicures instead of manicotti Neapolitan.

5. Keep both hands full. You feel more secure with both hands occupied at a party. (That's one reason why glamorous 1950s actresses always kept a cigarette strategically poised between two fingers.) But let's face it: One of those hands will likely be occupied with a Petits Fours. Nix the pastries for mineral water and a sexy clutch. Full hands means you don't mindlessly nibble on stale gingerbread cookies.

6. Employ the 2:1 rule. Stop downing cosmos at the office party like you're in an open bar at your old sorority house. For every glass of alcohol you consume, drink two glasses of water. You won't drink as much, you stay hydrated (no morning-after blahs), and best of all you won't rack up a four-digit calorie catastrophe. And avoid the drinks-as-dessert trap: trade the spiked pumpkin eggnog for pinot noir.

7. Avoid pre-party starvation. You subsist on celery and egg whites all day because you plan to "spend" your calories on mint juleps and raspberry macaroons. You arrive at the party famished and immediately grab a ginger snap martini. Thirty minutes later you're feeling, shall we say, in the holiday spirit, dive right in to the chocolate hazelnut trifle, and hazily promise yourself you'll get back on track tomorrow. Break that mindset immediately. When you eat lean protein and green veggies throughout your day, you'll keep your blood sugar steady so you don't drink and nosedive right into the Kahlua cheesecake bars.

8. Once through and you're done. Just because you're with your family at an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord doesn't mean you have to return for seconds and thirds like cattle to a trough. Get a small plate, fill it up and you're done. You're not missing much with the soft-serve dessert bar and overcooked mac and cheese that's been sitting under a heat lamp for hours.

9. Wear your skinny jeans. Those forgiving relaxed-fit holiday sweaters, mom jeans and "comfort waist" pants aren't doing you any favors. Elastic waists kill your sex appeal and grant you permission to devour endless varieties of petit pastries. To halt temptation, pick your slimmest-fitting jeans and a fitted top. A skinny black dress does the trick for more formal occasions.

10. Plan a non-food reward. You got your holiday bonus, but that's no excuse to splurge on after-work Candy Cane-tinis and chili cheese nachos with your HR girlfriend. Instead, schedule a Barney's date for the day after your aunt's popular holiday carb-fest. Even with familial guilt ("What, you don't like my homemade fruitcake?") you'll think twice about going face down in that homemade pecan torte if you know you'll be shopping a Jil Sander sales rack the next day. If shopping isn't your thrill, treat yourself to a spa day.

11. Hire a trainer. Mandatory year-end overtime at the office? Got "stuck" in mall traffic? You can always find a reason to miss your workouts during the holidays. You'll think twice, though, if you pay in advance and tell your trainer to bill you double if you bail.

12. If you bomb, try this trick. Your favorite receptionist baked cranberry pecan biscotti. You couldn't turn her down because she told you to live a little and, well, she's so incredibly nice. Create a no-excuses personal agreement that you'll immediately recover for the next few days with two meal-replacement protein shakes, a clean protein and vegetable dinner, and plenty of fiber and water. Double your exercise with burst training. Better yet, ask your trainer to up the walking lunges and Turkish get-ups so you'll think twice next time before you order that peppermint schnapps infused double hot chocolate.

Sources:

[1] Roberts SB, Mayer J. Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction? Nutr Rev. 2000 Dec;58(12):378-9.

Follow JJ Virgin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JJVirgin

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Why Getting A Cat As An Adult Could Spell Trouble For Allergies

Why Getting A Cat As An Adult Could Spell Trouble For Allergies

By Frederik Joelving

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While having a cat as a kid may protect against future allergies, getting one in adulthood nearly doubles the chances of developing an immune reaction to it -- the first step toward wheezing, sneezing and itchy eyes.

That's according to a study that found people with other allergies were at extra high risk of reacting to a new feline in the house.

"If you are an adult with asthma and/or allergies, you should think twice about getting a cat and particularly, if you do so, letting it into your bedroom," said Dr. Andy Nish of the Allergy and Asthma Care Center in Gainesville, Georgia, who wasn't involved in the new work.

For the study, researchers surveyed more than 6,000 adult Europeans twice over nine years and took blood samples. None of participants had antibodies against cat in their blood to begin with, meaning they weren't sensitized to the animal's dander.

Sensitization can also be measured in a skin prick test. It doesn't necessarily lead to symptoms, but in many cases it is the harbinger of full-blown allergies.

About three percent of people who didn't have a cat at either survey became sensitized over the study, compared to five percent of those who acquired a cat during those nine years.

Four in 10 of the newly sensitized also said they experienced allergy symptoms around animals -- four times the rate seen among people without antibodies against cats.

The findings, by Dr. Mario Olivieri of the University Hospital of Verona in Italy and colleagues, appear in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The team found that people who'd had a cat in childhood had a much smaller risk of becoming sensitized to it than those who were new cat owners.

"We thought that having a cat in early childhood may be protective against the development of cat allergy in childhood, but this study seems to indicate that that protection extends into adulthood," Nish told Reuters Health by email.

It also turned out that only people who let their pet into the bedroom became sensitized.

"Keeping the cat out of the bedroom is a step I have always advised," said Nish. "It is remarkable that none who did not allow the cat in the bedroom became sensitized."

For people who have a cat and have become allergic, he recommended finding a new home for the pet.

"Second best is to keep the cat outdoors always," Nish added. "If it comes in even occasionally, its dander will remain in the house for months. If the cat needs to be indoors, at least keep it out of your bedroom, consider a HEPA filter for your bedroom and consider washing the cat at least once a week."

Nish said that there are also medical treatment options for people who can't or won't avoid pet contact, including allergy shots and immunotherapy.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/vbZHAT The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, online December 12, 2011.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

15 Ways To Build A Heathier Salad

15 Ways To Build A Heathier Salad
Most are filled with white enriched flour and can be loaded with fat and salt. If you're looking for crunch in your salad, ask them to put on some walnuts or even better yet, chia or sunflower seeds. You can also as if the restaurant has 100 percent whole-grain croutons as well. More from YouBeauty: Build a Beautiful Salad Calorie Labels On Menus, Understated Quiz: Are You Eating Pretty? Flickr photo by Lisa Clarke
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Erin and Courtney Henderson: A Cure for the Common Hangover

Erin and Courtney Henderson: A Cure for the Common Hangover

Frank Sinatra once said, "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning and that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

In this season full of eating, drinking and being merry, there may be a morning or two when you've woken up, cracked one eye open, and then heard the thunderous roar of Christmas bells ringing -- in your head. Ding, dong, ding. And while you count the minutes 'til 3 p.m., when the worst of your vodka flu will be behind you, you vow you will never touch another drop again. Until New Year's Eve. But then that's it.

If wine dates back to at least 7000 BC ancient Mesopotamia, why, in the name of Bacchus, hasn't someone found a way to train that infernal dog from biting you?

Well, you could argue you bit yourself, and you should of had a glass of water and maybe something to eat for every glass of hooch, but what's done is done and we're not here to lecture, we're here to help.

Speaking of which, some will say the only way to shake it off is the hair of the dog, leading to the ever-so-popular Bloody Caesars (or Bloody Marys) with breakfast. Tasty yes, but for some, including yours truly, it is physically impossible to drink more when already suffering from too much of a good thing.

It is important to note that wicked hangovers are arguably the least damaging of what too much alcohol can do; studies have linked booze to a host of scary maladies including increased risk of cancer, strokes and liver damage. But again, we're just talking about your garden variety -- maybe even extreme -- hangover, and offering some ways to help make it through the foggy, painful day.

Recently, there was a story about a bunch of gents who travelled to New Orleans for some sort of boys' weekend. Conveniently, these boys were also doctors and remembered to bring along a pill that would cure hangovers faster than you can say "tequila shot."

Now being well aware that some pharmaceuticals available in the U.S. are not available here and vice-versa, we gave our family doc a call to find out the dirt.

"I can't think of anything prescription-wise," said Dr. Tammy Hermant, a Toronto-based practitioner and head of the MidTown Health & Wellness clinic. "Aside from something like Gravol or Tylenol... you'd be treating those symptoms like dehydration or stomach upset, I can't think of anything specifically that's used for a hangover."

And while an ibuprofen may ease the headache, Hermant warns it may not be the best option.

"It's absorbed in the stomach, so it can irritate the stomach lining."

However, there is a possibility Mother Nature may be able to lend a hand. Lately we've been hearing rumblings about the possibilities of the natural remedy milk thistle leading the charge in the war against hangovers.

As a natural way to help the liver process and eliminate toxins, it may help fight ill effects of over-imbibing.

"Yes milk thistle is [liver]-protective but it isn't the type of thing that you can take one dose and expect to have benefits," says Maggie Amos, a Toronto naturopath.

"It needs to build in your system and takes at least seven days. So do you really want to take something for seven days just to maybe help with an upcoming hangover?"

Instead, Amos suggests the homeopathic Nux Vomica -- which may have a dual role this holiday season.

"Colubrina (Nux Vomica) is a homeopathic remedy that is typically prescribed for over indulgence, whether it be over-eating or drinking in excess!"

Nux Vomica is derived from the poisonous Strychnine tree, found in South East Asia, and was reportedly widely used as medicine before World War II. It is used as a natural way to treat a slew of ailments including nausea, headache, vomiting and even heartburn.

(Of course, you all know to never self-medicate, as it could be very dangerous depending on your health, but we need to say it: Natural or otherwise, always consult a physician before taking any sort of drug).

If drugs aren't your thing, but you're still craving comfort in Mother Nature's arms, consider a shot of pickle juice. We can't think of anything that would turn our stomachs faster in that fragile state, but Eastern Europeans look to the briney fluid to get them back in ship-shape. We have a friend who turned to it one particularly tough morning and she says she stopped throwing up and her headache went away.

But whether you seek natural assistance, pharmaceutical reinforcements, or simply walk it off, make sure you sleep in, and drink lots of water or sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes and then come join us at the greasy spoon for a communal feast of fat and salt. Because with hangovers, as in life, misery loves company.

Follow Erin and Courtney Henderson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheWineSisters

Source: www.huffingtonpost.ca

Susan Blumenthal, M.D.: 14 Ways To Have A Healthy, Happy Holiday

Susan Blumenthal, M.D.: 14 Ways To Have A Healthy, Happy Holiday

By Susan Blumenthal, M.D. and Beth Hoffman

The holidays are a time for celebrating with family and friends. As we reflect on the things that we are most thankful for this holiday season, don't forget the importance of good health! While the holidays are brimming with joy and happiness for many, it can also be a stressful time with traveling, visiting relatives and trying to maintain diet and exercise goals. This holiday season, when faced with choices about behaviors that will influence your health today and tomorrow, a wonderful gift you can give yourself is to make choices to ensure a healthier future today and in the years to come. Here are some simple steps to staying healthy while fully enjoying the festivities of the season:

1) Eat Healthy
Eating a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, whole grains, healthy sources of proteins, vitamins including D, folate, and calcium that is low in saturated fats and salt are critical ingredients in a recipe for a healthier future. Eating smart will help you to maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of chronic illnesses including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers [1]. In the 21st century, science is revealing that rather than individual nutrients being the key, the health effects of food result from the interactions of nutrients and other substances within and among the foods we consume. Maintaining healthy eating patterns, however, can be difficult during the holiday season. The USDA recently released, My Plate, a visual guide to healthy eating that simplifies making choices for nutritious meals by emphasizing the foods that are healthiest for us and the proportions in which to consume them. The best way to avoid overeating is to maintain a routine eating schedule during the holidays, pile your plate with vegetables and fruits, eat mindfully, taking the time to enjoy your food, and consume a healthy breakfast every day. Starting the morning with a small but satisfying breakfast, such as whole grain cereal with skim milk or an egg with whole wheat toast, will provide you with more control over your appetite. Whether you are hosting the meal or bringing a few dishes to share at the event, make your recipes healthier by reducing fat, sugar and calories (e.g. use fat free chicken broth, reduce the amount of oil and butter, use sugar substitutes, and replace cream with fat free yogurt or sour cream when preparing mashed potatoes or casseroles). At holiday meals, choose lean turkey meat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods that contain lots of water and fiber. Not only are they healthy choices but they will add to a feeling of fullness and satiety. Variety is also important -- sampling a small amount of everything that has different textures and colors on the table can help alleviate cravings! And remember, everything in moderation -- one piece of pumpkin pie will not tip the scales!

2) Cook and Eat Safe
Food safety is very important when you prepare your holiday meal. To reduce the risk of food-borne illness, safely thaw, prepare and cook all meat, poultry and seafood. To keep bacteria at bay, first thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator in cold water or in a microwave oven. Thoroughly clean surfaces, utensils and your hands after touching raw poultry as bacteria can be transferred to other food. Make sure to thoroughly cook all food to the temperature recommended by the FDA (click here for more information). Wash all fruits and vegetables and store leftovers in containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Finally, with the holiday season coinciding with increased travel and the cold/flu season, wash your hands often and use alcohol based hand sanitizers to prevent the spread of viruses and other microbes.

3) Stay Active
Physical activity is one of the most important steps you can take towards a healthier future. If you are not currently exercising, start slowly and build up. Aim for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with strength training, or 1 hour and 15 minutes per week of high-intensity aerobic exercise. Pick activities you like -- take the stairs instead of elevators, dance, engage in a power walk instead of a power lunch. Try a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day. This holiday season, enjoy being active with friends and family -- bundle up and go for a walk together or play a game of touch football. Visit fitness.gov to learn more.

4) Stay Hydrated
Whether you are traveling or hosting a holiday event, changing routines and the stress of the season can make it easy to forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking water can help with jet-lag if you are traveling, and also help you control your appetite and prevent excessive eating. A reasonable goal is 4-6 cups a day and even more preceding your holiday meal so as not to feel famished when dinner begins.

5) Stamp Out Smoking
If you don't smoke, please never start. If you do smoke, the holiday season can be a great time to utilize family support to quit. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S and is linked to heart disease, cancer and stroke [5]. Furthermore, second-hand smoke significantly impairs the health of those who are in contact with smokers. Not smoking is the number one thing you can do to safeguard your health today and in the future!

6) Limit Alcohol Consumption
If you drink, do so responsibly and only in moderation. Alcohol adds calories. And while one glass a day of red wine might help prevent heart disease, alcohol abuse accounts for 79,000 preventable deaths every year, and is associated with an increased risk of liver disease and some forms of cancer, as well as tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents annually [4]. Please never, ever drink and drive.

7) Get Plenty of Rest
Between traveling, shopping, and attending holiday events, it can be difficult to get enough sleep during the holiday season. But getting a good night's rest will leave you refreshed and can also help to reduce stress. Most adults require 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Even if you are traveling or away from home during the holidays, try to maintain a regular bedtime routine. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and exercising right before bedtime. Create a dark, quiet, and comfortable environment to help you fall asleep. Getting adequate sleep will give you a boost to feel your best and enjoy the holiday season.

8) Enjoy Family, Friends and Strengthen Your Social Network
Oftentimes the focus at holiday events is on food, rather than on the friends and family who have gathered together to celebrate the season. Shifting the focus of the day to visiting with loved ones and away from food can make it easier for those trying to maintain healthy eating behaviors during the holidays. Planning ahead can be a helpful tool, as can maintaining as close to a normal eating schedule as possible. As mentioned above, make sure to eat regularly throughout the day and avoid treating a holiday meal as the only meal of the day [2]. When eating, focus on your own plate, rather than suggesting second helpings for others [3]. Have the conversation at the table focus on the positive atmosphere and love of friends and family rather than on the food. Remember, social support is an important ingredient in a recipe for a healthy, happy life, with many studies showing that relationships influence our long-term health in ways that can be as powerful as a healthy diet and getting enough sleep! Having strong connections to others can improve your health and longevity. It's also more fun and easier to engage in healthy behaviors if others join you. These benefits extend to givers and receivers of support. A lack of connections, on the other hand, is associated with increased mortality by as much as 50 percent, depression, and a decline in cognitive function later in life. It's the quality of relationships that makes the difference, so visit with your friends and family in 2012, make new contacts and enjoy developing meaningful connections.

9) Set Realistic Expectations
Many people get wrapped up in trying to make every aspect of the holiday season perfect. Set realistic goals for yourself -- do not expect that you will find the perfect gift for everyone, focus on weight maintenance rather than weight loss and don't punish yourself if you indulge every now and again.

10) Take Time for Yourself
While it can be enjoyable to spend extra time with family and friends at social gatherings this holiday season, make sure to find your own stress buster and time in the day just for you. Take a walk, read a book, practice yoga. Bundle up with a blanket and cup of hot tea and exercise your mind by playing Sudoku, reading a book, doing crossword puzzles or beginning to learn a new language or skill. Choosing fun and meaningful activities as the New Year begins makes life more enjoyable!

11) Travel Safe
Whether you are driving or flying this holiday season, make sure to travel safe. If you are driving, always wear a seat belt and get adequate sleep before getting behind the wheel. Research shows that driving after being awake for more than 20 hours is similar to driving with a blood alcohol level at the limit of 0.08, with recent studies estimating that driver fatigue was linked to 1 in 6 fatal motor vehicle accidents annually [6, 7]. Getting enough rest is also important if you are flying, particularly across time zones. Finally, with 2 million people crossing national borders every day, the spread of infectious diseases like flu is just a jet plane away. If you are travelling internationally, make sure to speak with your doctor about any necessary immunizations or health safety precautions (such as drinking only bottled water) that might be relevant for your destination.

12) Give Thanks and Give Back
More than 50 million Americans will struggle to put food on the table this holiday season, so consider making a donation to a local food bank or dedicating a day of service to help those who are hungry. Many food banks and local charities also support toy drives for children living in poverty. Visit the Feeding America and Snap to Health websites to learn more about how you can contribute to preventing hunger in your community and in our country.

13) Be Ready in Case of an Emergency
Be prepared in the event of a disaster occurring during the holidays, such as a tornado, hurricane, or severe snow storm. Develop a family plan and communication strategy. For more information, call 1-800-Be-Ready or visit www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov. Know what you can do to keep safe from the flu: practice good hygiene, wash hands, cover coughs, get vaccinated for seasonal flu (this year's vaccine provides protection against H1N1 as well) and avoid settings with people who are ill. Check out www.flu.gov to learn more.

14) Be a Savvy Health Consumer
Read as much as you can and use trustworthy Internet sites (see list below) for reliable health information. Know your health plan. Be informed. Knowledge is power when it comes to your health and the health of your family, business and community. By following the steps in this prevention prescription, you can enjoy a healthier future this holiday season, in the New Year and beyond!

Recommended Websites for More Information:

www.4publichealth.org
www.4globalhealth.org
www.healthfinder.gov
www.healthierus.gov
www.womenshealth.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.fitness.gov
www.sleepfoundation.org
www.medline.gov
www.myplate.gov
www.nutrition.gov
www.flu.gov
www.ready.gov
www.fema.gov
www.healthcare.gov

References

[1] FDA. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.

[2] Berrett, Michael. Twelve Ideas to Help People with Eating Disorders Negotiate the Holiday. Retrieved 25 Nov 2011.

[3] Hickey, Tracey. Hickey: "Coping with Eating Anxiety During Thanksgiving." November 20, 2011. Retrieved 25 Nov 2011.

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheets: Alcohol Use and Health. July 20, 2010. Retrieved 25 Nov 2011.

[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inhaling Tobacco Smoke Causes Immediate Harm. December 9, 2010. Retrieved 25 Nov 2011.

[6] "Two Out of Five Drivers Admit to Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Finds AAA Foundation Study." Retrieved 28 Nov 2011.

[7] National Sleep Foundation. Facts About Drowsy Driving. 2007. Retrieved 28 Nov 2011

[8] Wilper AP, Woolhandler S, Lasser KE, McCormick D, Bor DH, Himmelstein DU. "Health Insurance and Mortality in U.S. Adults." American Journal of Public Health, Sept. 17, 2009 (online); print edition Vol. 99, Issue 12, December 2009.

Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A. (ret.) is the Public Health Editor of the Huffington Post. She is the Director of the Health and Medicine Program at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington, D.C., a Clinical Professor at Georgetown and Tufts University Schools of Medicine, Chair of the Global Health Program at the Meridian International Center, and Senior Policy and Medical Advisor at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Dr. Blumenthal served for more than 20 years in senior health leadership positions in the Federal government in the Administrations of four Presidents, including as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States, the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Women's Health, as a White House Advisor on Health, and as Chief of the Behavioral Medicine and Basic Prevention Research Branch at the National Institutes of Health. Admiral Blumenthal has received numerous awards including honorary doctorates and has been decorated with the highest medals of the US Public Health Service for her pioneering leadership and significant contributions to advancing health in the United States and worldwide. She is the recipient of the 2009 Health Leader of the Year Award from the Commissioned Officers Association and was named a 2010 Rock Star of Science by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and GQ magazine.

Beth Hoffman graduated magna cum laude from Brown University. She is a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a former Health Policy Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington D.C.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Manual on best diet pills

Manual on best diet pills

Written by mj jm on December 20th, 2011

Are you currently fed up best diet pills with being bored because the majority of the diets you have attempted previously don’t provide you with all of the meals that diet pills will keep you curious about your diet plan lengthy enough that you should lose the quantity of weight that you want?

Would you frequently cheat since you are extremely tired of the little bit of food options you need to select from every single day?

The truth is many people within the same situation that you’re in at this time will probably cheat on their own diet. In most cases once they cheat at this time of the diet they obtain a guilty feeling that’s sufficiently strong to ensure they are quit their diet program.

As if you I had been once swept up during my feelings to be bored to dying with my food options until I discovered African mango Plus pills also it wasn’t for now which i recognized that my diets did not need to be as boring because they were to ensure that me to shed the excess weight which i required to.

Through the finish want to know , you also will realise why using African Mango weight loss supplements can get rid of the monotony in what you eat, add variety for your diet and enable you to slim down faster than every other supplement available on the market.

This Is How It Really Works

The thing is African Mango Plus is a brand-natural appetite suppressor, metabolic process booster along with a calorie burners simply by itself. And regardless of what you need to do or eat it’ll still do this stuff. Actually it is also reliable advice that as it is an appetite suppressor it might be impossible that you should eat a lot more than the body could eliminate.

Especially because it boosts the leptin levels inside your bloodstream which may consequently zap that urge to consume uncontrollably. And so far as variety goes you can eat anything that you would like without having to be worried about it hanging out within your body lengthy enough to show to body fat.

One more reason why this really is same with because African mango Plus includes a high fiber content. Fiber makes the body continue to work harder than usual to digest it which means more calories will be burned throughout the digestion process.

Certainly hunger suppressant area of the supplement would most likely hinder you against consuming more than you need to but on a single token you can get your variety in addition to exciting food options back in your menu without any effects to manage.

Now you know these important details concerning the African mango no that it may actually get rid of the monotony in what you eat?

Not actually observe how African mango Plus will help you slim down fast without having to be bored and eating everything that you would like to?

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Natural Tinnitus Treatment – tips to stop the ringing in your ears

Natural Tinnitus Treatment – tips to stop the ringing in your ears

The sheer number of individuals I have met of late who’re looking for a natural tinnitus treatment is happening more often. It seems like everyone is far more ready to attempt natural, alternative solutions than they were even a couple of years ago. I think doctor’s offices are so hectic and a lot of health care is now extremely expensive. These circumstances have made it easier for people take things into their own hands.

Just about the most common ways to know you could have tinnitus is the ringing in your ears. The constant sound of sounds within your head, inside your own ears, is definitely the trademark of tinnitus. In some cases, it’s a buzz. At times, it’s actually a ringing sound. In some instances, typically in the elderly, the continual buzz can be a caution of possible permanent loss of hearing. So, dealing with tinnitus symptoms early on can be very important. Natural tinnitus treatment can help in getting rid of this particular irritating condition.

Some of the other health concerns that may play a role in tinnitus symptoms include high bad cholesterol levels, very low blood sugar, very poor nutrition, and high blood pressure levels. Using herbal solutions as a natural tinnitus treatment can help a number of the underlying issues that may cause tinnitus. Fixing these other complications might turn out fixing the actual tinnitus problem, too.

One more reason why many are looking for a natural tinnitus remedy may be the prospective side effects of a number of the prescription drugs which can be prescribed for someone who is dealing with tinnitus symptoms. Anti-allergy medication might be good at drying up some of the excess mucus that can accumulate inside your ear, however in some instances it can cause blurry eyesight. Tranquilizers and antidepressants are good at numbing the pressure sensation observed by many with tinnitus symptoms. However, as a complication, many people frequently deal with sleep loss, anxiousness, and an increased heartrate. Another medication that can be problematic is a betahistidine. This type of drug may alleviate pressure inside the ear, but triggers severe headaches as well as upset tummies amongst many who take it. It is no wonder consumers are trying to find a natural tinnitus treatment.

Herbal and nutritional health supplements are can help alleviate tinnitus symptoms. Supplements like Niacin might help improve blood circulation by widening capillaries and aiding them in absorbing much more nutrients as well as oxygen. These will be carried naturally to your inner ear via regular blood flow.

Sometimes, the most effective natural tinnitus treatment is to modify your life style as well as your diet. Some tinnitus symptoms are due to an inner ear blood vessel becoming clogged. Avoiding food items which negatively affects the circulatory system may help unblock the blood vessel. Similarly, having reduced blood sugar can easily contribute to tinnitus symptoms. If you are trying to boost circulation and prevent low blood sugar, your natural tinnitus treatment should include staying away from fatty, processed foods, and baked goods and other sweets. Eating a great deal of good proteins, fresh fruits, and green veggies will help, as well.

Sustaining a non-active life-style may also greatly increase the probability of getting tinnitus symptoms. Not being active can boost bad cholesterol and contributes to weak blood circulation. Moving around, taking walks, exercising, jogging, are all very good for your heart. Getting your blood flowing throughout the body, including the ears, generally is a very good natural tinnitus treatment or preventative.

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Overly Sensitive Bladders Tied To Recurring UTIs

Overly Sensitive Bladders Tied To Recurring UTIs

By Andrew M. Seaman

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who get recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be more likely to have an overly sensitive bladder, even at times when they don't have an infection, a new study suggests.

Pennsylvania researchers found that women who had had at least three UTIs in the past year were significantly more likely to urinate frequently, in smaller amounts, and to feel the need to urinate more often than women without a history of recurring infection.

The symptoms could point to sensitization of the bladder itself, brought on by infections, the team writes in the British Journal of Urology International.

Lead author Dr. Lily Arya, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told Reuters Health that the findings highlight why women should get treatment for UTIs as soon as possible.

"If they are having repeated attacks of bladder infection, which is more than three a year, they probably need to be seen by a specialist," said Arya. "They should be treating them ASAP and not be casual about doing that."

Using medical records and bathroom diaries, Arya and her colleagues compared 102 premenopausal women who were treated at the university's urogynecology clinic between December 2009 and September 2010.

The researchers determined that the women with recurring UTIs went to the bathroom 12 times over a 24-hour period, whereas those without a history of recurring infection went about seven times in the same period.

Compared to the women without frequent infections, those suffering from frequent UTIs also went to the bathroom significantly more often for every liter of liquid they drank.

Medical tests to gauge the urge to urinate showed women with frequent infections also felt the need to go to the bathroom sooner than the others.

According to the researchers, the cause of this oversensitivity is not known, but they suspect it could be related to nerves in the bladder, which might undergo lasting changes as a result of repeated pain and inflammation during infections.

Dr. Kenneth Peters, chair of urology at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and who was not involved with the study, said the research looks like it had some limitations, but the results match what he's seen.

"I think the one thing to know for certain is that if you have symptoms of urgency or frequency ... it's very important to get a urine culture to find out if you have an infection or not," Peters said.

Arya said she tries not to delay treatment in her patients who have frequent UTIs, and gives them antibiotics to keep at home in case they experience early symptoms. However, she said this should only be done after a medical workup and under a doctor's supervision.

For women with overactive bladder, Peters said there are several treatment options, including acupuncture, medication and a surgically implanted device.

Women should know there are options to help, he said.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/rtlq5Q British Journal of Urology International, online November 30, 2011.

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Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

More Broken Arms Soon? Boomers' Arm Injuries Likely To Spike By 2030

More Broken Arms Soon? Boomers' Arm Injuries Likely To Spike By 2030

(Reuters) - Broken arms send several hundred thousand U.S. residents to emergency rooms each year, and the number may rise by nearly a third by 2030, when the youngest baby boomers will turn 65, according to a U.S. study.

Arm injuries spike among women after 40 and men after 60, likely because of a combination of falls and osteoporosis, and researchers writing in Arthritis Care & Research called for an increase in fracture prevention programs.

A team led by Sunny Kim at the University of California, Davis, looked at data on 28 million emergency room visits across the United States in 2008 and found 370,000 cases of fractures in the humerus bone of the upper arm.

Children between the ages of 5 and 9 accounted for the highest overall number of humerus breaks, but the injuries also spiked among older people.

Fully half of the breaks treated in 2008 were near the top of the bone, known as a proximal humerus fracture, an injury often associated with falls. The highest number of these breaks was seen in both men and women after age 45, and rates kept rising until about 84 for women and 89 for men.

Women were more than twice as likely to suffer this type of injury, and from a younger age, which researchers attributed to a loss of bone density.

"(Osteoporosis) increases a person's likelihood of sustaining a humerus fracture in a fall and is a well-established risk factor," said Kim, an associate professor of public health sciences at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Davis.

Though the number of U.S. residents aged 65 or older was 38.7 million in 2008, the number will surge to 71.5 million in 2030.

The researchers project that the number of proximal humerus breaks will rise to 490,000 emergency room visits in that year, with much of the increase likely to be among older people.

The researchers found that 88 percent of upper-arm breaks were caused by falls, prompting them to call for more rigorous safety measures as well as better treatment to prevent osteoporosis.

"I think (the findings are) consistent with a lot of other works in the past few years," said Leon Benson, spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

"An enormous amount of prevention can be done on a consumer level with a number of things that can be done in the homes," he added, noting that this can include the placement of rugs, clutter on the stairs, walking in the dark and pets.

"It really is a matter of the environment you are in." SOURCE: http://bit.ly/u9WAg7

(Reporting from New York by Andrew Seaman at Reuters Health; Editing by Elaine Lies and Robert Birsel)

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Can You Teach Yourself New Skills In Your Sleep?

Can You Teach Yourself New Skills In Your Sleep?

It could be possible to learn new skills while you sleep, according to American scientists.

Researchers at Yale University investigated the brain function of lucid dreamers - people who have 'waking dreams' that they can manipulate - and found that they can control parts of their brain to open up and 'learn' while they sleep.

The study, published in New Scientist, found that these dreamers performed better in gambling tasks that stretch the regions in the brain that control social interaction and emotional decision-making.

The researchers are looking at how to train people with new skills by manipulating their dreams and implanting new ideas. They hope this could be used to improve a person's social control and decision-making abilities.

"We know that by engaging circuits in the brain we can change its architecture," says researcher Dr Peter Morgan from the study.

These findings, published in the New Scientist, follow a previous study where researchers from the University of Bern discovered that lucid dreamers who practiced throwing a coin into a cup were better at this skill in real life when they woke up.

If you have unusual dreams that you can't shake off the next morning, take a look at our dream decoder.

In another less-scientific sleep study this week, it has been found that what side of the bed you sleep on reveals a lot about our personality. The research, commissioned by Premier Inn claims that people who sleep on the left side of the bed are happier than those who snooze on the right. A quarter of 'lefties' woke up feeling positive, cheerful and ready to tackle the day as well as being better at dealing with stress, in comparison to grumpy right-hand sleepers.

Your sleep position is also said to be a telling sign, according to sleep expert, Professor Chris Idzikowskia, from the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service. See his analysis of what your sleep position says about you.

"Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. The foetus is the most common sleeping position, with women more likely to adopt this position than men."

"Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. The foetus is the most common sleeping position, with women more likely to adopt this position than men."

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Foetus

"Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. The foetus is the most common sleeping position, with women more likely to adopt this position than men."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

Hard Time Sticking To Your Fitness Plan? Try These Tips!

Hard Time Sticking To Your Fitness Plan? Try These Tips!

Written by gaurav mehrotra on December 19th, 2011

Best Exercise To Lose Weight

Physical fitness is important for many reasons. Being fit can make you more attractive, fight depression, improve self-esteem, and improve physical health. If you’d like to get fit but aren’t sure how to start, look no further! Read on for some easy tips to get started on fitness.

Use the start of the fall TV season as a chance to get in shape. We tend to spend a lot of time in front of the TV, especially during the premiere season. Make a resolution to keep yourself active while watching TV. Lift weights, walk in place, or use an exercise bike while your show is on, during the commercial break drop and do 20 pushups or sit ups.

Nothing limits fitness success more than finding it a chore to do regularly. An easy solution is to find a cardiovascular activity that is enjoyable. Some people do not enjoy running, and thus would find very little long-time benefits from this activity, as they are less likely to stick with it. By integrating activities that you find fun (like swimming, sports, rowing, etc.), it is easier to stay motivated.

Have you made up you mind to change your lifestyle by beginning an exercise program to become better physically fit? If so, it is imperative that you evaluate yourself closely to see if you are physically ready for it. Doctors have recommended that males at the age of 45 and older and women at the age of 55 and older should check with their family physician first to get a medical clearance before beginning strenuous exercise.

Now that you know what you can do now to improve your fitness, the only thing left is to do it! Don’t let yourself forget about this article by tomorrow, start acting on what you’ve read now, and get into a habit that will improve your entire life! Good luck!

Read more about Endurance Training click here

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

What's Worse: Heavy Drinking Or Heavy Smoking?

What's Worse: Heavy Drinking Or Heavy Smoking?

If you're the kind of person who likes to unwind with a drink at the end of the day, you've probably jumped at the research suggesting moderate drinking is beneficial to women's general health or that red wine is good for your heart.

But heavier alcohol use can lead to some serious health problems -- especially in women, who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who don't drink, The Huffington Post reported in October. It may also result in neurological, cardiovascular or mental health problems, according to the CDC.

Like drinking, cigarette smoking is a sometimes-social habit that has serious health effects, including heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, according to the CDC. But is heavy drinking or heavy smoking worse for your health? Watch the video to find out.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Jane Fonda's Flash Mob On 'Anderson'

Jane Fonda's Flash Mob On 'Anderson'

Jane Fonda started a fitness revolution throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Now, at 73 years old, she's back to it, this time focusing on fitness among seniors. On "Anderson" (Weekdays, syndicated), Fonda started showing one of the exercises she focuses on in her new workout videos, emphasizing the importance of balance for older people.

But a few minutes into it, she decided it was too hard, and she really wasn't dressed appropriately for exercise anyway. "I have some friends here that might show you what to do. Okay?"

With those words, a flash mob erupted on the set, with people running in from all around, and even large portions of the audience getting up and getting involved in the choreographed exercise routine. It was certainly a hip and modern way to bring a sense of fun to fitness, proving that Jane Fonda is just as current today as she was decades ago.

She's keeping busy with more than just exercise as well. Fonda has signed on for a recurring role on Aaron Sorkin's untitled HBO drama series set at a cable news network. Reports have Fonda playing the CEO of the network.

Catch "Anderson" syndicated weekdays. Check local listings for times and channels.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Why are medical Alert ID Bracelets Important?

Why are medical Alert ID Bracelets Important?

Written by Alex on December 20th, 2011

Medical alert bracelets enable rapid identification of patients with a number of illnesses, including diabetes, which can make them unable to communicate their illness to others, according to Shamai Grossman, M.D., Director of the Cardiac Emergency Center and Clinical Decision Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center).

Medical alert bracelets can be extremely important for people with diabetes. Should you have a low blood glucose reaction and suddenly become confused or unresponsive, the bracelet allows immediate identification of the problem to both bystanders and paramedics. The sooner the low blood glucose reactions can be identified, the sooner they can be treated.

Everyone with a medical condition or allergy should have a medical alert product. Most are custom-engraved, stainless steel medical IDENTIFICATION bracelets. Each one should be able to hold between four to six lines of medical information (for a variety of conditions, diseases, allergies) and engraved in red so the identification information is easy to read by emergency personnel.

Wear them for yourself and for your family and loved ones, with this valuable identification your emergency worker will already be ahead of the game. Remember your medical identification alert bracelet speaks when you can not!

Children are active and we love to see them enjoy life and the happiness the can bring to others, so when you can not be there to give this vitally important information be sure their medical alert can!

For More Information Visit www.myidentitydoctor.com

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Gynexin – Weight reduction And the Hidden Truths Untold

Gynexin – Weight reduction And the Hidden Truths Untold

Breast Reduction Surgery

Everybody wants to shed weight these days, but not everybody actually knows how you can. You will find a lot of people attempting to money in on the fitness craze by selling bad goods and putting poor info out there. This post will assist you to comprehend the proper way of losing weight.

Boredom is really a important factor when it comes to impulse consuming, so discover creative ways to maintain busy to be able to preserve your weight reduction regimen. Turn off the television, and take up a hobby. Paint, knit, make jewelry or learn how you can play an instrument. Volunteer at a local organization. Visit the library or an art museum. Visit yard sales or hold a yard sale. Keep your thoughts occupied, and your stomach will hardly notice that it missed its afternoon snack.

Think about making weight reduction into a enjoyable adventure rather! Break up your workout routine by going out dancing rather. If you remain away from sugar-laden drinks and calorie-ridden chasers, you will be burning calories all night. Who knows? You might even catch somebody’s eye. Either way, you will have fun with buddies and sweat it out at the same time!

An excellent diet plan strategy to select if you wish to shed pounds as time passes will be the Mediterranean diet plan. This diet focuses on adding great fats, vegetables, fruits and proteins into your diet plan. The right diet plan plan is important in adding wholesome foods to your day and maintaining the correct discipline.

Do not be embarrassed to leave a plate half full when trying to shed weight. Many parents teach their children that they should finish everything they’re served and this requirement often causes adults to struggle with weight acquire for years. It is perfectly acceptable to take a doggy bag of leftovers house. Don’t try to force food down just because it’s in front of you. Pay attention to what you eat and stop as soon as you feel full.

So now you’ve what it takes to lose weight the proper way. It is truly extremely simple. So long as you stay conscious of how numerous calories you are eating, you need to have no difficulty losing weight. All you need to do is keep in mind the information in this post.

Flatter Abs - Easy???

Source: www.fastweightloss4u.com

The Top Fitness Trends For 2012

The Top Fitness Trends For 2012

If you think your parking spot at the gym is doing you a favour, you might be wrong.

Nathan Mellalieu, owner and trainer at Studeo 55, a boutique health club in Vancouver, B.C., and the reason why keep day dreaming about Taylor Lautner's abs, strongly believes one-on-one coaching and amenities are the secrets to staying motivated at any gym.

If you're shopping around for gym memberships for 2012 or just looking for a hot yoga class after work, Mellalieu says Canadians should know what they need out of a health club.

"If you are motivated and you've been going to the gym for years, then a big gym suits just fine," he says. "However, if you're someone who needs something more focused, you can go to a smaller one."

He says the convenience of parking lots, having a large space to exercise or finding cheap memberships are all reasons why people choose larger clubs. But this doesn't necessarily mean you'll find motivation or support. If you love to ride bikes or cycle during marathons, for example, Mellalieu says a small-scale spinning class is the better option.

"Gyms are seeing special studios like dance, pilates, and spinning," Mellalieu says. "That's an accurate representation of how customers are evolving."

More and more niche fitness studios are one of the trends that have cropped up in the fitness world in 2011.

In 2012, he predicts trends like crossfit training -- a workout that focuses on strength and conditioning -- will continue, and speciality DVDs like P90x will remain popular.

In a recent report, GoodLife Fitness Canada's 25 experts weighed in on the top 10 fitness trends for 2012:

Many individuals want the benefits of working with a personal trainer and the motivation that comes with working in a group setting. Working out in small groups of three to 12 with a certified coach (small group training instructor) is an economical solution for a lot of people.

Many individuals want the benefits of working with a personal trainer and the motivation that comes with working in a group setting. Working out in small groups of three to 12 with a certified coach (small group training instructor) is an economical solution for a lot of people.

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Small Groups

Many individuals want the benefits of working with a personal trainer and the motivation that comes with working in a group setting. Working out in small groups of three to 12 with a certified coach (small group training instructor) is an economical solution for a lot of people.

WATCH:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.ca

Healthy Weight Loss Techniques for Underage

Healthy Weight Loss Techniques for Underage

Most of the teens nowadays in their early age has been really concerned with their physical appearance. They would do anything just to make them look cool and sexy. One thing that they have been into is healthy weight loss techniques.

According to some news, there has been an increase number of teens and kids that are overweight. It has been an issue since it talks about the health of this kids. It is important to consider weight loss in your children and make them stay healthy.

There are five basic tips for effective weight loss and fat loss.

1. Be an ideal person – A parent must be responsible to be the model for their kids. A parent should regularly observe the food that his/her children is eating.

2. Encouraging Comments – Uplift the spirit and confidence of your kid. Trust me, it helps.

3. Family Dinner – Family dinners can be very nutritious for kids, as the homemade food is good in quality. Make it a habit for them.

4. Breakfast – You have to make your kids understand the importance of having a good and balanced breakfast before leaving school or going into somewhere else and even when just staying inside the house.

5. Consistent Exercise – This is the common way to weight loss in which you have to encourage your kids to have a regular exercise with you. It would be fun for your part and your kid, it is like having a quality time for them and also for the both of you to stretch some muscles.

For more detailed information about the five tips for effective weight loss : Healthy Fat Loss Techniques for Underage

Flatter Abs - Easy???

Source: www.fastweightloss4u.com

Liquid Diet: Do Juice Cleanses Really Work?

Liquid Diet: Do Juice Cleanses Really Work?

By: Karen Kwan, TheKit.ca

I recently tried a juice cleanse, namely, the Energize version from Total Cleanse. It consisted of six juices a day, and I chose to try it for two days because:

1) I didn't think I'd be able to do much longer than that, nor was I willing to suffer for any longer than a weekend.
2) I wasn't going to forego running (vigorous activity is not recommended while on the cleanse) for more than a couple of days either.

After I tried the cleanse, I was curious to see what a registered dietitian would have to say about it, so I asked Nicole Yuen, an RD based in Toronto, to weigh in.

She began by telling me that while she's sure people have lost weight on this cleanse, a healthy, varied diet and exercise would provide the same benefit, or more so, and the effects would last longer. 'Fantastic,' I thought, as this is exactly what I believed going into the cleanse (I had a hard time believing my body would be better off being on the couch drinking these juices rather than eating fairly reasonably and actually exercising).

And her assessment?

"Overall, I wouldn't recommend this diet," she says. "In the short term for a healthy individual, there is no added benefit compared to a healthy, varied diet that includes adequate hydration, fruits and vegetables, low fat protein and fibre (i.e. whole grains, nuts and seeds)."

And upon closer look at the actual cleanse juices, Yuen broke down the problematic points for me:

Low in calories. At a total of about 1,100 calories per day, this is much lower than most requirements (a young, moderately active female would need somewhere between 1600 to 1800kcal/day).

Low in protein. The amount of protein per juice ranged from 0.1 grams to 7.1 grams per bottle. Plus, the cleanse may not provide a varied amount of protein to obtain all the essential amino acids for muscle repair/function and body function.

High in carbohydrates. The main energy source here is carbohydrates, from 26.6 grams to 64.8 grams -- specifically sugars. This accounts for more than what is recommended on a daily basis. A sugar, regardless of whether or not it is natural, is still absorbed by your body as a sugar, and having too much can put you at risk for various diseases -- not to mention an unhealthy diet. Eating whole fruits and vegetables gives you added benefits that juice may not.

Low in fibre. Juices, especially those without pulp or seeds, do not have much fibre in them. Soluble and insoluble fibres are both important in gastrointestinal health.

The same nutrients. These juices may have some vitamins, but if you were to consume the same juices for a prolonged period of time, this may put you at nutritional risk, especially as they do not contain certain vitamins.

Sugar content. The juices do contribute to your overall fluids, intake but since they can be high in sugar, you are better off drinking plain water to achieve this requirement.

So, now knowing all this, would I try another juice cleanse? I would consider it, but again only for a short period of time. I wouldn't say I felt positively energized or had greater mental clarity, but I did feel leaner (I don't own a scale, so I'm not certain whether my weight fluctuated at all).

Besides, it meant I didn't have to cook nor clean any dishes all weekend long. That's a bonus in and of itself.

More stories from TheKit.ca:
Get Kim Kardashian’s gorgeous hair
Portable pretty makeup cases
Choose your curls

Source: www.huffingtonpost.ca

Ab Circle – Fast Fitness Ideas To obtain You Into Shape

Ab Circle – Fast Fitness Ideas To obtain You Into Shape

Written by gaurav mehrotra on December 16th, 2011

Exercises To Lose Belly Fat

Fitness can be a lot of enjoyable and there are a lot of ways you are able to either improve upon your health or change your look completely. So whether you’ll need more methods to make your self seem much more like what you would like or if you wish to enhance your well being, take a appear in the suggestions in this article.

A good fitness tip for individuals searching to build strength is to lift lighter weights at a lot faster speeds. This will cause your muscles to generate more force and they will workout as if you’re lifting heavier weights. Select a weight that’s about 50% of one’s maximum ability.

Make exercise your morning habit. Set your alarm for a little bit earlier every morning, and attempt to carry out some sort of physical exercise in that time frame. Eventually, the body will understand that this really is when you wake up, this is what you will do, and it’ll grow to appreciate it.

With so many other exercises, you may forget to complete sit ups. Sit ups assist range of motion and have a positive effect on abdominal muscles, as they make your abs work longer and tougher. Attempt to steer clear of anchoring you feet when doing sit ups– that can strain your back.

If you’re stuck at a plateu in your strength coaching routine, supersets will take you to the next level. Whenever you do supersets it entails performing two various exercises, operating exactly the same muscle group, with small rest in-between. Supersets demand more from your muscles and have to be used only sparingly.

Fitness may be a really efficient tool to have in your arsenal for whatever requirements you might have. You may want to know how you can improve your appearance or you may wish to improve your overall health or perhaps both. No matter your factors, hopefully, the suggestions in this post has given you some suggestions.

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Pooja R. Mottl: A 5-Course Sustainable Menu For Healthy Holiday Cooking

Pooja R. Mottl: A 5-Course Sustainable Menu For Healthy Holiday Cooking

The holiday season is in full swing! It's that fabulous time of the year which comes to us like clockwork -- a sustainable, annual feature of our everyday lives.

Yet, how sustainable is the food we're celebrating with? Interesting to think about, right? Last week I teamed up with GoodGuide and Sustainable Table to discuss just that concept.

We asked, what does "sustainability" mean anyway in the context of food, healthy eating and cooking? Well, there's not one specific answer -- "sustainability" is an overarching principle. Yet, at its core is the idea that anything you eat should come from a chain of events that provides a long-term ability to maintain wellbeing and nourishment. Here are some ways to think about "sustainable":

• Cooking gives you the control and lifelong skills to nourish yourself -- that's sustainable.

• Food that comes from soil that hasn't been tainted with chemical pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers is more sustainable for the planet and our health.

• Animal products that aren't from factory farming operations that use hormones, antibiotics, and food sources from unhealthy soil and genetically modified crops, are sustainable.

• Local, seasonal food is more sustainable than food imported from thousands of miles across the globe.

• Fresh food is generally more nutrient dense than food that travels thousands of miles after it's harvested -- more sustainable for our health.

• Sustainable food tends to be minimally processed, with very few ingredients, and perishes faster than "factory food."

• Because sustainable food stays close to how Mother Nature intended, it's more delicious!

• Foods canned in BPA-free cans are more sustainable.

• Food cultivated with respect and support for farm workers, that provide fair wage, and that are humane to animals is more sustainable.

Here I share a glorious five-course sustainable meal for this holiday season. Most of the ingredients I chose to use in these dishes are from sustainable sources, using plant foods that are in season, like squashes and roots, as well as traditional winter flavors and spices such as apple cider and star anise. I used grass-fed beef from a local farm in the pot roast, and minimally-processed ingredients in the dessert, with pasture raised eggs from Vital Farms. You'll also find a colorful fruit salad made of apples and pomegranates, two winter fruit superstars. Feel free to mix, match, and above all... enjoy! If you're ever in doubt about how to find the healthiest, most sustainable food items, cross-check using GoodGuide's rankings or learn how to locate sustainable food with Sustainable Table's online tools.

Have a happy, healthy, and sustainable holiday season!

Course 1: Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

1 of 7

Yield: about 4 ½ cups Ingredients 1 teaspoon organic expeller pressed canola oil (preferred) or extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cups yellow onion, diced (about 1 large onion) 4 cups butternut squash, skin removed, roughly diced into ¾ inch cubes (about ¾ squash) 2 ½ cups organic vegetable broth 1 ¾ cup organic apple cider ½ to ¾ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 star anise ½ cup Bob's Red Mill whole grain rolled oats ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon cayenne ½ cup filtered water Procedure 1. Warm oil in a large heavy bottom saucepot or dutch oven over low-medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent, making sure not to brown. 2. Add squash, stock, 1 ¼ cup cider, star anise, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. 3. Uncover, remove star anise, add oats, spices, and continue to simmer, covered for another ten minutes. Or until squash softens and begins to fully dissolve. 4. Turn off heat. Add water and remaining apple cider and immediately transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool for a few minutes. 5. Transfer to a strong blender, and blend until creamy smooth. Blend in batches if necessary. Transfer back to sauce pot, add remaining salt (optional) and warm again as desired. Ladle into your favorite bowl and enjoy!

Yield: about 4 ½ cups

Ingredients
1 teaspoon organic expeller pressed canola oil (preferred) or extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ cups yellow onion, diced (about 1 large onion)
4 cups butternut squash, skin removed, roughly diced into ¾ inch cubes (about ¾ squash)
2 ½ cups organic vegetable broth
1 ¾ cup organic apple cider
½ to ¾ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 star anise
½ cup Bob's Red Mill whole grain rolled oats
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
½ cup filtered water

Procedure
1. Warm oil in a large heavy bottom saucepot or dutch oven over low-medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent, making sure not to brown.
2. Add squash, stock, 1 ¼ cup cider, star anise, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes.
3. Uncover, remove star anise, add oats, spices, and continue to simmer, covered for another ten minutes. Or until squash softens and begins to fully dissolve.
4. Turn off heat. Add water and remaining apple cider and immediately transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool for a few minutes.
5. Transfer to a strong blender, and blend until creamy smooth. Blend in batches if necessary. Transfer back to sauce pot, add remaining salt (optional) and warm again as desired. Ladle into your favorite bowl and enjoy!

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Course 1: Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

Yield: about 4 ½ cups Ingredients 1 teaspoon organic expeller pressed canola oil (preferred) or extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cups yellow onion, diced (about 1 large onion) 4 cups butternut squash, skin removed, roughly diced into ¾ inch cubes (about ¾ squash) 2 ½ cups organic vegetable broth 1 ¾ cup organic apple cider ½ to ¾ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 star anise ½ cup Bob's Red Mill whole grain rolled oats ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon cayenne ½ cup filtered water Procedure 1. Warm oil in a large heavy bottom saucepot or dutch oven over low-medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent, making sure not to brown. 2. Add squash, stock, 1 ¼ cup cider, star anise, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. 3. Uncover, remove star anise, add oats, spices, and continue to simmer, covered for another ten minutes. Or until squash softens and begins to fully dissolve. 4. Turn off heat. Add water and remaining apple cider and immediately transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool for a few minutes. 5. Transfer to a strong blender, and blend until creamy smooth. Blend in batches if necessary. Transfer back to sauce pot, add remaining salt (optional) and warm again as desired. Ladle into your favorite bowl and enjoy!

Recipes Copyright © 2011 Pooja Mottl. All rights reserved.

What are you cooking this holiday season? Talk with me and share on Twitter and Facebook!

Follow Pooja R. Mottl on Twitter: www.twitter.com/poojamottl

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Vitamin B12 Shots and Vitamin B12 Deficiency Information – Nutritional Vitamins

Vitamin B12 Shots and Vitamin B12 Deficiency Information – Nutritional Vitamins

posted on December 13, 2011 in Health, Healthy with 0 Comments  

Vitamin B12 is scientifically known as methylcobalamin. It has been touted as the most complex of all the vitamins, and comes in many different varieties. The most effective form of Vitamin B12 deficiency is methylcobalamin. Although this form is the most effective, many supplement manufacturers use more abundant, cheaper forms of the vitamin, resulting in less absorption by the body.

Vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms is responsible for the growth and protection of the nervous system. As we age, Vitamin B12 can help prevent against the deterioration of our neurons. It has been noted that Vitamin B12 can help prevent the onset of Parkinson ’s disease, as well as help slow the progression of the disease in those that already have it.

Flatter Abs - Easy???

Source: www.fastweightloss4u.com

Do not Tension! Prioritize Your Worries To Cope with Them Effectively!

Do not Tension! Prioritize Your Worries To Cope with Them Effectively!

Written by gaurav mehrotra on December 14th, 2011

Over The Counter Sleep Aids

Stress in younger people is something that is becoming a severe issue within the world. It could affect self-esteem levels and how children carry out in school. But clearly, children aren’t the only ones coping with increased tension. It doesn’t matter who you’re, if you are feeling the strain, the suggestions in this article can assist.

Breaking large jobs into smaller chunks will decrease your stress in numerous methods! Most importantly this may make the job seem less overwhelming and more approachable; in addition you’ll be better prepared to really complete the job in a timely manner. Failure to meet deadlines and fulfill duties is really a major cause of tension so in the event you alter your initial approach to a big job and may do it more effectively you are 1 step ahead of the subsequent 1!

Treat yourself to your favorite dessert whenever you are under stress. This is a great solution only if you have enough self-control not to overeat. The essential factor is to savor your treat as you take every bite, and concentrate on the delicious flavors on your taste buds. In the event you use this technique in moderation, it could be an efficient answer for handling stress.

Start meditating. Meditation is an effective tension reducing methodology. Meditation can have both minimal effects on our well being and gargantuan effects. It can aid in controlling our blood pressure, assist control compulsive eating, as well as act as a heart rate regulator. All it takes is really a few minutes of meditation a day to start to create improvements.

Whether you’re trying to make it through school or attempting to muscle your way via life, tension can seriously put a damper on your best-laid plans. When tension shows up and takes hold of you, this is whenever you need great tips like the ones supplied in this post, in order to eliminate it forever.

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Foods That are Rich With Vitamin B12

Foods That are Rich With Vitamin B12

Written by Kevin Reed on December 12th, 2011

Low levels or lack of Vitamin A in a human body causes B12 deficiencyand it is the number one cause of what is known as preventable blindness in children and severe visual impairment. Vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms also increases the risk of death in infants.

It is known to cause night blindness in pregnant women and escalates the chances of maternal mortality. It is usually the third trimester when the nutritional demands of both the mother and the unborn child become the highest. During this time if the body is suffering from Vitamin A deficiency then the mother can be at severe risk of night blindness.Vitamin A, therefore, is necessary for the body mainly to maintain normal visual function.

Source: www.newpublichealth.com

Fitness Gadgets To Keep You In Shape

Fitness Gadgets To Keep You In Shape

The right fitness gadgets can act like your very own personal trainer, helping you monitor your weight-loss efforts and keep your workouts on target. Now, with the number of fitness apps available, health advice is at your fingertips.

But not all fitness gadgets are created equal. Some gizmos designed to help you lose weight are just plain weird -- but others, like the armband monitors featured here, can help you zero-in on the results you want.

Andy Baryer of GetConnectedMedia.com models four monitors that can help you analyze your fitness efforts by keeping track of pace, distance, calories burned, calorie intake and more. All sync with smart phones or computers to keep track of your results over time, so you can adjust your fitness plans accordingly.

"Real-time recording lets you get an idea of what you're doing while you're training," says Baryer. Watch the video to find out which monitor is best for you.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Jean Fain, L.I.C.S.W., M.S.W.: Columbine Victim Rachel Scott's Kindness Lives On

Jean Fain, L.I.C.S.W., M.S.W.: Columbine Victim Rachel Scott's Kindness Lives On

"I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
-- Rachel Joy Scott, August 5, 1981-April 20, 1999

When bad things happen, it's hard to imagine any good coming of it. This is especially true when bad things happen to good people, like slain Virginia Tech police officer Deriek Crouse. And yet, when the worst human action inspires a surprisingly goodhearted reaction, it brings out the very best human qualities: hope, solidarity, kindness and compassion.

To inspire these life-affirming qualities, it's traditional to tell stories in other contexts about good coming from bad, especially during the holidays. Think: "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." One of the most inspiring real-life stories of this kind is that of Darrell Scott, the founder of Rachel's Challenge, a national school outreach program for the prevention of teen violence. Scott gave life to this non-profit organization months after his 17-year-old daughter Rachel went down as the first student killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history: Columbine.

Rachel Scott was an inspired diary keeper and essay writer. Wise beyond her 17 years, Rachel's compassionate words inspired Darrell to do as his daughter wrote: start a chain reaction of kindness. Over the last 12 years, his personal mission has grown into an international movement to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent, positive culture of change in their school, business and community through small acts of kindness.

What follows are questions and answers from what has proved to be the most moving interview to date in this ongoing series on all things compassionate.

Q. Months after Rachel's death, you started doing what Rachel set out to do: start a chain reaction of kindness. Tell me the story of how you went from grieving dad to compassionate educator?

A. About a month after the tragedy, I was asked to go to Congress and speak to the House Judiciary Committee. They wanted me to talk about gun control, but I thought the real issue was our influences on young people. At first, I said I wouldn't. But they really wanted me to, so I went. After that, I got swamped with phone calls to speak at different venues. [So I decided] to take a three-month break from my job at a Denver food company to honor Rachel's life. How many parents get the opportunity to honor their daughter or son in that way? [From there] it just sort of evolved.

Q. It sounds like you were inspired by Rachel's deliberate acts of kindness. What can you tell me about that?

A. I have five children and three stepchildren. Rachel was my middle child. She was always compassionate -- she took care of stray cats and dogs, stood up for the underdog. But starting at her funeral, we began hearing so many stories. Amazing stories about people like Adam, a young man [and special ed student who became suicidal] because he was being bullied at school. Rachel basically challenged the boys who were teasing him. They backed off, and she and Adam became friends.

Q. Were you surprised by the extent of Rachel's kindness?

A. We [the family] weren't surprised by her acts of kindness, but we were surprised by how much wisdom came out of her writing. She was inspired by Anne Frank's diaries. Actually, Rachel died from the influence of the same person who killed Anne Frank -- Adolf Hitler. Rachel died on Hitler's birthday. April 20 was the day that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold did the shootings at Columbine.

Q. How about that prophetic line she wrote on the back of her bedroom dresser: "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will some day touch millions of people's hearts." Did that prophecy surprise you?

A. We certainly had no idea that 16 million people -- and that number grows every year --would have heard Rachel's story 12 years after her death. But the closest Rachel ever came to talking about that [her prophecy], she was lying on the floor, hands propped under chin, watching Oprah Winfrey. She said, "Hey dad, someday you're going to see me on Oprah." After she died, a year-and-a-half later, I was on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and there was a picture of Rachel under the words "Oprah Winfrey." That's when I realized how prophetic it [that line] was.

Q. After losing a child, it's only natural to feel angry, hateful, depressed... a whole hornet's nest of feelings. Somehow you set aside that hornet's nest and focused on kindness. Where did you find the strength to do that?

A. It's fulfilling to see kids' lives change. In the last two years, we've seen a little over 500 suicides prevented, seven school shootings we know of prevented, a lot of lives touched and changed. We don't just talk about kindness and compassion, we talk about understanding other people. We do a lot of training about understanding who we are as humans. We're not human doings. We're not human havings. We're human beings. [It's all about] learning to take time during the day to appreciate who we are as human beings.

Q. What can you tell me about the program's impact on you personally?

A. Rachel wrote: "Give people three chances before you dare judge them." I never felt like I wasn't a kind person, but I was more judgmental than I realized. Now, I'm living life much more purposefully. I really try to season my conversation with kindness, to listen more and talk less. Those are ways that Rachel really did change me.

Q. How about the program's impact on others?

A. There are so many stories. For the evening event we do with parents, I tell the story about my son Craig, who was in the [high school] library that day and lost two of his friends. On the way to school that morning, he and Rachel had a fight. His last memory was slamming the [car] door on his sister, and her marching off to school. Next time he saw her, she was in a casket. We end our [parents'] event with the final challenge: learn to forgive ourselves and others. Life is too short to hold grudges. Recently, one lady came up to me just bawling and dancing. She said: "For the first time in five years I'm free. Five years ago, my husband called me and we had a big fight. Then he committed suicide. I didn't feel I could live with myself ever again. Tonight, when you talked about your son forgiving himself, it gave me the freedom to forgive myself." We get to see these kinds of things all the time.

Q. Because I wrote a book about self-compassion, I always ask interview subjects what self-compassion's got to do with it? Got to do with your work?

A. Compassion isn't just for others, it's for ourselves. The Golden Rule says: treat others the way you want to be treated. Love your neighbor as yourself. Sometimes you need to love yourself before you can love your neighbor. But in the right way, not an egotistical way.

Photos courtesy of Rachel's Challenge

Jean Fain is a Harvard Medical School-affiliated psychotherapist specializing in eating issues, and the author of "The Self-Compassion Diet." For more information, see www.jeanfain.com. If you've got your own compassion-enhancing ideas this holiday season, enter to win a copy of "The Self-Compassion Diet." For contest details, subscribe to Jean Fain's e-newsletter.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Barefoot Workouts Gaining Ground

Barefoot Workouts Gaining Ground

By Dorene Internicola

NEW YORK (Reuters) - With barefoot running all the rage, the unshod workout is gaining ground across the exercise spectrum.

Fitness experts from aerobics instructors to modern dancers are extolling the virtues of feeling the ground beneath their feet.

Connecticut-based fitness instructor Ellen Barrett teaches a mixture of Pilates, yoga and dance and conducts all her low-impact classes barefoot.

"I've been teaching barefoot forever. Shoes give you a false sense of a platform. You don't connect to ground," explained Barrett, creator of the DVDs "Grace and Gusto" and "Power Fusion."

"So goes the foot, so goes the body. If your foot is balanced and strong the rest of the body is too," said Barrett. "That connectedness between foot and core and balance, that core connection, that's ultimately what balance is."

A firm believer that bare feet are happy feet, Barrett recalled that when her perpetually work-booted father finally removed his shoes, "his feet looked immature, not like the rest of his body."

She believes shoe-encased feet need to ease out gradually.

For starters she suggests going barefoot around the house or performing the elementary exercise of pointing and flexing the bare foot 10 times.

Shoeless for 12 years, Colorado-based barefoot fitness instructor Stacey Lei Krauss said she has taught thousands to exercise unshod.

"Being barefoot is better than being in a cast, which is what your shoe is," said Krauss. "If you're in a cast your muscles will atrophy and your joints will be stiff."

Krauss' latest DVD, "WillPower and Grace," is a sweaty cardiovascular workout that includes lunges, squats, jumps and push-ups, all done barefoot.

"We begin class with a warm up. Just being barefoot is going to demand a little more of your feet," she said. "And you need to be taught how to land: without a sound and engaging the core."

Eighty-four-year-old fitness instructor Ann Smith exercises in bare feet and always has.

"I didn't know it was a trend," Smith said. "I was trained in modern and interpretive dance, which has always been barefoot."

Smith, whose DVDs include "Stretching for Seniors" and "Moving to Mozart," said being barefoot makes contact with the floor safer, easier and more logical.

"There's more power, more expression," she said. "As I tell my seniors, 'If you're meeting someone, you take off your gloves to shake their hand.'"

Smith, who is based in Alexandria, Virginia, was inducted into barefoot exercise by her mother, an interpretive dancer of the Isadora Duncan period.

"My routines are based on classic ballet and modern dance: slow continuous stretching of the body inside and out," she said.

Smith said barefoot exercises should be done on a wooden floor. Tile and cement are too hard on the back.

"If you want to look like an athlete, go to the gym and work out on machines. If you want to look like a dancer, take some dance classes," said Smith. "I have my own hips, my own knees and I'm not on any medication. Trust your body. It will tell you."

Barrett believes the body is telling a lot of fitness lovers to give barefoot a try.

"I think it's going to continue," she said. "We have an epidemic of knee and hip problems. The last resort is to go naked and see what Mother Nature can do."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com