How to Erase Your 4 Biggest Health Mistakes

CN Digital StudioselfWorried about the smoke, booze, sun worshiping or junk-food binging in your past? Good news: New science shows that much of the harm you may have done to your body can be reversed. Here's how to wipe the slate clean.

Related: Kristen Bell Answers Your Biggest Health Questions

1. Oops. You snuck cigarettes at parties for years.
It's never too late to ditch the sticks. Your body starts to bounce back a mere 20 minutes after your last puff: Carbon monoxide starts clearing from your system, and your blood vessels begin to repair themselves. You can ward off further damage with some salad: Eat 12 servings of leafy greens per month, and their phytochemicals could protect you against lung tumors and cancer, a study on smokers in Cancer Research indicates. Because you're more vulnerable to future lung damage than never-smokers are, prevent it by getting flu shots (the fewer infections you get, the better), avoiding secondhand smoke and rolling up windows if you're behind a stinky truck (no joke), says Norman H. Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

2. OMG. You partied too hard in college.

Related: 21 Good-For-You Snacks

Still worried about frat-fiesta fallout? If you're healthy these days, don't fret about past overimbibing, says Tram Tran, M.D., medical director of liver transplantation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You may have caused inflammation, but that sounds scarier than it probably is: If you're usually moderate-defined as having one drink or fewer per day-your liver will naturally repair itself within a few months or at most a couple of years, Dr. Tran says. (If you have a family history of liver disease, however, it's wise to have a hepatologist screen for abnormalities.) To help your liver, do what's good for you overall: Eat well, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. One liver-loving move, especially if you're sexually active, is to get the hepatitis B vaccine, Dr. Tran says. Finally, swig coffee: Four cups daily were associated with a 75 percent reduced risk for alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Less java was still associated with a lowered risk, so enjoy that morning joe.

3. Uh-oh. You couldn't resist the tanning booth.
Your personal tanning toll is twofold: a 74 percent higher risk for melanoma, according to a study by the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities, and premature aging. You know to coat yourself in a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 every day. (Right?) What you might not realize is that a good way to reduce existing damage is a dual-wavelength laser like Fraxel re:store Dual. Although you may have some initial redness, you'll likely end up with younger-looking skin, and the laser may help zap precancerous cells, says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist in Boston. And chocolate lovers, rejoice: Antioxidants in cocoa soak up free radicals, limiting UV-ray damage in former tanners, says David Katz, M.D., a researcher at Yale University. Enjoy 1 to 2 ounces of dark chocolate with 60 percent cacao daily.

See More: 6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism

4. Yipes. You've been pigging out on fatty stuff.
If you've got the cholesterol creeps, focus on healthy fats. Olive oil, avocados and walnuts can help lower levels of the LDL ("bad") cholesterol you may have upped with a diet heavy on saturated, trans and refined fats. Fats can also help you feel full for longer, avoiding binges, and the healthy ones will do so without hurting your heart, says Ashley Koff, R.D., coauthor of Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged. Then stay on the good-food path: Clock seven to nine hours of sleep nightly. The more you skimp on shut-eye, the more you throw your hunger hormones out of whack, making it harder to evade the grease-gorging habits of your past, says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., a physician and dietitian in Sarasota, Florida. Plus, if you're well rested, you're less likely to turn to junk food for much-needed energy. That's delicious.

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Study: Is Your Tablet Computer a Pain in the Neck?

Along with the advances of modern-day technology comes a new set of aches and pains to worry about.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health, Microsoft Corp. and Brigham and Women's Hospital say neck/shoulder pain associated with the prolonged use of tablet computers can be avoided if people do not use the devices while they're resting in their laps, and by using cases that offer higher viewing angles.

"Compared to typical desktop computing scenarios, the use of media tablet computers is associated with high head and neck flexion [flexed] postures, and there may be more of a concern for the development of neck and shoulder discomfort," lead investigator Jack Dennerlein, of the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a journal news release.

Related: Migraines May Double Risk of Heart Attack

The Study

In the study, his team asked 15 experienced tablet users to complete certain tasks, such as surfing the Internet, reading, playing games, watching movies and emailing, with two types of tablet devices -- an Apple iPad2 and a Motorola Xoom.

All the tablets provided had a proprietary case that allowed them to be tilted up for use at a low or high angle. (The Apple Smart Cover offers tilt angles of 15° and 73°, and the Motorola Portfolio Case enables tilt angles of 45° and 63°.)

The participants were instructed to position their tablets in various ways, such as in their lap and on a table at various angles, to test how the configurations affected their neck and shoulders.

Related: Migraines May Double Risk of Heart Attack

The Results

The researchers found that the iPad2 case design forced participants' head and neck into more flexed postures, causing pain over time. The study indicated that for both tablet devices, head and neck flexion angles were greater than those associated with desktop or notebook computers.

When used on a table at their highest angle, however, users' postures become more neutral, allowing for more natural neck/shoulder position.

Related: Yoga For Your Face

Conclusion

The study's authors concluded when using tablets, people should place the devices on a table at a steep angle -- not in their lap -- to avoid looking down and more importantly avoid a painful neck and/or shoulder.

However, there was a hitch: The researchers noted that this position may not be ideal if users perform a task that requires input with their hands. They believe more research is needed to determine how tablet positioning could affect arms and wrists.

"Our results will be useful for updating ergonomic computing standards and guidelines for tablet computers. These are urgently needed as companies and health care providers weigh options to implement wide-scale adoption of tablet computers for business operations," concluded Dennerlein.

The findings appear in the journal Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation.

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The Ultimate Lunch-Hour Workout

V-LiftBy Lara McGlashan

Fight fat in just 18 minutes and be back at your desk before your boss even knows you're gone.

Related: The 21-Minute Ab Workout

V-Lift
Targets: Lower back, butt, and hamstrings
• Lie facedown on a bench with legs extended in a wide V behind you, hips just above end of bench, feet flexed, toes on floor.
• Grip bench with hands, arms extended overhead.
• Lift both legs up in line with your torso, then bring feet together in midair.
• Open legs back out to sides, then lower to start.
• Do 15 reps.

Target tip: Flexing your feet engages the hamstrings even more.

Related: Watch the Video of This Workout

Pilates Chest PressPilates Chest Press
Targets: Chest, triceps, and abs

• Holding a dumbbell in each hand, lie faceup on a bench and extend legs and arms straight up toward ceiling, palms facing thighs.
• Simultaneously bend elbows 90 degrees out to the sides at shoulder level (like a goalpost) and lower legs 45 degrees toward the floor. Return to start.
• Do 15 reps.

Related: Run/Walk Guide: 20-Minute Treadmill Hill Workout

Wall Squat with T-Raise
Wall Squat with T-Raise
Targets: Shoulders (front, side), butt, and quads

• Holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms by sides, palms facing forward, lean against a wall with back straight, feet hip-width apart about 2 feet from wall.
• Bend knees and slide down wall until thighs are parallel to floor.
• Maintaining squat, raise both arms straight out to sides at shoulder height, then bring them close together in front of chest, palms facing each other.
• Reverse arm move to complete 1 rep.
• Do 15 reps.

Related: The Hot Legs Workout

Door Hinge with Biceps CurlDoor Hinge with Biceps Curl
Targets: Upper back, shoulders, and biceps

• Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with feet hip-width apart, back flush against a wall, and bend elbows 90 degrees, palms up and in front of body.
• Keeping elbows tucked into waist and backs of arms on wall, bring hands out to sides as far as you can. Lower weights to thighs.
• Curl them back to 90 degrees; return hands to start.
• Do 15 reps.
Target tip: Squeeze your shoulder blades together behind you without arching your back.

Related: 5 Moves to Tone Up with No Equipment

Yoga Tree/Lateral LungeYoga Tree/Lateral Lunge
Targets: Hips, butt, quads, hamstrings, and calves

• Stand with hands on hips and bend left knee out to left side to place sole of left foot on inner thigh of right leg (tree pose).
• Hold for 1 count, then step left foot out into a side lunge, left knee bent and aligned over ankle, toes pointing forward and right leg straight.
• Push off with left foot to immediately return to tree pose.
• Do 10 reps. Switch legs; repeat.

Related: Melt It Off: Calorie-Burning Circuit Workout

Crab DipCrab Dip
Targets: Shoulders and triceps

• Sit on floor and place hands on floor on either side of hips, fingers forward; position feet hip-width apart in front of you, knees bent 90 degrees, feet flexed, heels on floor.
• Press through palms to lift hips about 4 inches off floor, balancing body between heels and hands.
• Bend elbows and lower hips toward floor until butt barely touches, then straighten arms to return to start.
• Do 15 reps.

Target tip: Don't cheat: Keep your weight over your hands instead of your feet. It's a small move, but it works!

Related: Easy Solutions to Common Fitness Obstacles

Single-Leg BridgeSingle-Leg Bridge
Targets: Butt, hamstrings, and quads

• Sit on floor with knees bent, feet flat, and rest upper back and shoulders against a stability ball with arms slightly out to sides, fingertips lightly touching floor for balance.
• Keeping right foot flat on floor, lift left leg and bend left knee out to side, resting left ankle on right knee.
• Press hips up, rolling upper back on top of ball as you squeeze glutes and raise pelvis so it's level with shoulders and right knee. Hold for 1 count, then lower to complete 1 repetition.
• Do 10 reps. Switch legs; repeat.

Related: The Science to a Betty Booty

Wide RowWide Row
Targets: Back and shoulders

• Holding a dumbbell in each hand, lie facedown on a stability ball with legs straight behind you, toes on floor, and arms extended toward floor, palms facing toward feet.
• Drive elbows up and out to the sides to bring weights near armpits.
• Pause for 1 count, then lower to start.
• Do 15 reps.

Target tip: The closer together your feet are, the more of your core you'll use to balance on the ball.

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Is Your House Making You Fat?

By Amanda Greene

Between enticing eats in the grocery store checkout line and coworkers' birthday treats at work, it seems as if we're bombarded with temptations every time we step out the door. But did you know that many reasons those stubborn pounds won't budge may actually be inside your own home? Whether the type of plates you use is causing you to eat more than you realize or your bedroom isn't letting you catch enough zzz's, learn how your house may be sabotaging your weight-loss plans.

Your serving plates are too large.

Those oversize restaurant-style plates make a dramatic statement on your dining table, but have you ever considered the effect they have on your waistline? "The size of your plate influences how much you serve yourself," says Brian Wansink, PhD, author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. "By switching from a 10-inch plate to a 12-inch plate, people will serve themselves 22 percent more." Think you'll notice if you accidentally over-serve yourself? Think again. According to Dr. Wansink, on average, people eat 92 percent of the food they serve themselves, so it's worth it to downsize your dishes. Or, as Linda Mintle, PhD, author of Press Pause Before You Eatrecommends, use your salad plates for your entrées. Similarly, notes Dr. Wansink, when you use a larger serving spoon-a two-tablespoon version instead of a single-tablespoon size-you'll dole out 14 percent more food. So skip the giant serving utensils in favor of traditional cutlery. Photo: Thinkstock

Discover 50 tasty foods under 100 calories.

Your drinking glasses are the wrong shape.

If your go-to glass is short and squat, it may be responsible for your similarly shaped figure. Dr. Wansink's research has shown that we end up pouring an average of 25 to 30 percent more liquid into short, wide 16-oz glasses versus tall, thin 16-oz glasses because, he says, our brains tend to over-focus on the height of objects at the expense of their width. That means when people pour drinks into tall glasses, they assume that they've reached their drink quota sooner, since they overestimate how much a tall glass can hold. So while your stumpy glasses may be perfect for guzzling down more water throughout the day, serve the sugary stuff in something else. Photo: Thinkstock

It's too easy to eat in front of the TV.

When your dining room table becomes a drop-off spot for mail, backpacks and other non-food-related items, it can be tempting to gather around the television for dinner or scarf down breakfast while checking your email. Avoid it, urges Dr. Mintle. "I always tell people to sit down at the table to eat their meals; it will slow them down. You eat more in front of a screen because you're multitasking and not concentrating on the feeling of fullness or enjoying the meal." Mike Moreno, MD, author ofThe 17 Day Diet, suggests making your television less visible. "The TV needs to be looked at as something that's an effort, as opposed to something that's in your face. Turning it on almost has to be a chore." So place it inside a media cabinet with doors or move it away from your comfiest couch so you aren't tempted to plop down and start snacking-especially since Dr. Mintle found that food commercials often prompt people to head for the kitchen. Photo: Shutterstock

Find out why you eat when you're not hungry.

Your bedroom isn't conducive to sleep.

Getting a good night's sleep is essential to keeping your weight in check. When you're tired, levels of leptin, which controls appetite, decrease, while levels of ghrelin, an appetite stimulator, increase. Dr. Mintle recommends working on your "sleep hygiene" to ensure you get enough zzz's. Swap your regular curtains for blackout shades, which will keep your room darker, or invest in a noise machine to cancel out distracting sounds. Even a too-soft or too-stuffed mattress can impede a restful night's sleep. For more tips on how to sleep better, check out " 10 All-Natural Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep" and " 10 Foods That Can Help You Sleep." Photo: Thinkstock

Your snack foods are always within reach.

When you're hungry, you're going to grab what's closest, so if you take time to strategically arrange the food in your pantry, you can count on keeping off some of that excess weight. "You're three times more likely to eat the first thing you see than you are the fifth thing you see," says Dr. Wansink. Bury the unhealthy snacks in the back of the cabinet and place good-for-you foods front and center so they catch your attention first. And if you're in the habit of stockpiling family favorites from warehouse clubs, be sure to relegate the extras to the basement or garage. In a study documented in Mindless Eating, Dr. Wansink found that when people kept an excess of food and snacks in their kitchen-12 boxes of cereal instead of the usual two-they ate them at almost twice their usual rate during the first week. The surplus, suggests Dr. Wansink, encouraged them to finish up the food quickly so that the quantities would return to a "normal" amount. Photo: Veer/Woman's Day

Fill your pantry with these nutritious snack options to satisfy your hunger and help you lose weight.

The music you play while you eat is too fast.

You know how fitness experts recommend listening to up-tempo music while you work out so you'll increase intensity? The same logic applies to eating, but not in a good way. "The faster and more upbeat the music that's playing, the more you're going to eat," says Dr. Mintle. "It's an unconscious cue to pick up the pace at meals-think about fast-food joints that play these types of songs." On the other hand, she notes that nicer restaurants play slower music, which encourages you to linger and enjoy your meal. "If you eat slowly and enjoy every bite, your brain and stomach have time to talk and figure out that you're full before you overeat." So play some slow-tempo tunes to dial down your pace at the dinner table. Photo: Thinkstock

Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

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The Worst Thing to Eat for Your Heart

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Editor, EatingWell Magazine

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans: on average, one person dies every 39 seconds, according to recently published data from the American Heart Association.

I've talked in the past about cutting back on saturated fat (found mostly in animal-based products like red meat and full-fat dairy), added sugars and sodium for better heart health. Keep working at those!

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But one thing that I haven't talked about much happens to be one of the easiest to limit (or avoid) in your diet-and it's quite harmful to your heart health. What is it? Trans fat.

Why are trans fats so harmful?
Like saturated fat, trans fat raises your "bad" LDL cholesterol, possibly even more than saturated fats, according to research. Trans fat also lowers your "good" HDL cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends limiting the amount of trans fat you eat daily to less than 1 percent of your total calories. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, that translates to about 2 (or fewer) grams.

Related: 6 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

How can you limit, or eliminate trans fat from your diet?
The easiest way to avoid trans fat is by skipping foods that contain "hydrogenated oil" or "partially hydrogenated oil" in their ingredient lists. Big culprits include packaged snacks, crackers, bakery goods and some margarines. (Here are 6 packaged foods you can feel good about eating.) Read labels carefully: if a package claims "zero trans fat," the amount per serving may be less than 0.5 g and could have been rounded down to zero, so the only way to be sure you're getting a product without trans fat is to read ingredient lists.

Trans fats are also found naturally-albeit in small amounts-in animal products, such as beef, pork, lamb and the butterfat in butter and milk. Limiting how much beef, pork, lamb and butter you eat and swapping full-fat dairy products, like milk and cheese, for low- or nonfat versions will help too.

Must-Read: What to Eat for a Healthy Heart and a Healthy Mind

Do you try to limit how much trans fat you eat?

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

Brierley Wright

Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as nutrition editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.

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New Study: High-Fructose Corn Syrup May Be Worse for You Than Sugar

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Editor, EatingWell Magazine

The debate over whether high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is really worse for you than sugar is always popular and heated. Full disclosure: based on the available research, I usually land on the side that says there really is no difference. A sugar is a sugar is a sugar. Metabolic studies have shown that our bodies break down and use HFCS and sugar (sucrose) the same way.

Related: What's So Bad About High-Fructose Corn Syrup?
6 Surprising Sources of Sugar

But then I saw this new study-published online recently in the journal Metabolism-that suggests for the first time that there is a (slight) difference in the way the body processes HFCS and sugar.

Why does it matter? Fructose is metabolized by the body differently compared to glucose and other sugars-and thus may pose a greater health risk by affecting your appetite and your heart health.

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In the study, researchers gave 40 men and women one of two drinks on their first visit: 24 ounces of Dr. Pepper sweetened with either HFCS or cane sugar (sucrose). Then they assessed whether the body absorbed more fructose from one sweetener than the other. On their second visit, study participants drank the opposite of what they received on their first visit.

Here's what the researchers found: after participants drank the HFCS-sweetened Dr. Pepper, their fructose blood levels were higher than when they drank the sugar-sweetened Dr. Pepper. But HFCS contains a higher percentage of fructose than sugar does (55 percent fructose compared to 50 percent in sugar)-and when the researchers took that into account the difference was no longer statistically significant.

So what does this mean for your sugar choices? I think it's still too early to draw conclusions. The study authors wrote: "To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that HFCS is more likely to cause acute adverse effects than sucrose." But this other quote from them is interesting food for thought and should be explored through further research: "Although the treatment effects…were small, the effects may increase with continued, chronic exposure to these sweeteners."

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Do you avoid high-fructose corn syrup?

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as nutrition editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.

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5 Ways to Enjoy Winter More

1. 1 hour 32 minutes ago

   Photo by: ThinkStock

   Try A New Winter ActivityLet loose and take a risk by taking on an activity that you can do only during the cold season. It could be skiing, ice skating, or snowshoeing - the key ... more

   Photo by: ThinkStock

   Try A New Winter ActivityLet loose and take a risk by taking on an activity that you can do only during the cold season. It could be skiing, ice skating, or snowshoeing - the key is to find something that you've always wanted to try. Snow sports can remind us that even when it's freezing outside, we can still feel the rush that comes from physical activity. Conquering the outdoors will not only boost your energy - it will make you feel like you have some control over your environment. Even if you are used to despising the snow, you may find that you end up having a great time. less

During the dark winter days, do you want to stay inside and curl up with a book, pretending the weather isn't gloomy outside? While this is fine to do at times - especially if there's a warm fire blazing in the background - too much inactivity during winter can lead to lethargy and depression. You may think that you have no choice, because, after all, it's freezing outside! While it's true that certain activities can only be done in the spring and summer, there are many things you can do to feel more energetic in the winter. Here are five tips that will help get you through the chilly season:

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The hops in this pillow produce a deep, musky aroma while encouraging sleep.

You Will Need
1 cup dried hops
1 cup dried rose petals
½ cup dried lavender
3 dried bay leaves, crumbled
2 teaspoons cloves, crushed
10 drops lavender essential oil
1 small plain cotton cushion case (available from craft shops)

What to Do
1. Crush all the herbs, then combine them with lavender essential oil in a bowl.

2. Spoon the mixture into the cushion case and stitch securely.

3. Tuck the sleep pillow between your pillow and its case, or slip it under your pillow, where the scent will linger all night long.

Plus: Is what you are eating disrupting your sleep?

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Your House is Making You Fat: 3 Tips to Help

Anderson

Dietician Dawn Jackson Blatner doesn't believe in will power, she believes in environmental control. She says you need to make your environment -- your home and your office -- work for you, as opposed to working against you. Make your home your safe haven where you can make healthy choices automatically, without fighting it every step of the way.

Here are Dawn's top three tips for organizing your home to be your partner in your weight loss program...

1. Don't Enter Through the Kitchen
The more time spent in the kitchen, the more likely you'll be eating. Enter your home through the front door, not the kitchen door. When you walk through the kitchen, you're more likely to snack. By going through the front door you will have time to de-stress and regroup, before letting your hunger or stress from the day take hold of you and make you immediately grab for a snack.

2. Paint It Blue
When you think about fast food restaurants colors, bright yellows and oranges often come to mind. These are manufactured colors to get you to eat a lot and eat quickly. Instead, paint your kitchen a light blue or green. These are more relaxing and will help you to eat less. Dawn says that when a person slows down and realizes what they're eating, they often eat 200 calories less a day.

3. Turn Off the TV
When you eat meals in front of the TV, you associate food with television. This means, every time you watch TV, even when you're not hungry, your brain tells you to eat. Like Pavlovian dogs, you have been trained to pair food and TV together. Watch TV without eating, and over time, it's miraculous -- you'll be less likely to be triggered to eat.

See all of Dawn's Healthy Eating Tips from her appearance on "Anderson."

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How to Give Your Fridge a Healthy Makeover

Anderson

Is your fridge making you fat? In the following tips, Dietician Dawn Jackson Blatner says there are easy changes you can make to your fridge to help reduce your calories and eat healthier...

1. Do Not Hide Healthy Food
Often people use the crispers at the bottom of a refrigerator to store all the healthy stuff -- fresh vegetables, gorgeous fruits, lean proteins, etc. Instead, move what's healthy to eye level. Dawn says the crisper is what she calls the "RIP Drawer" -- where food goes to die. Cut up veggies and fruit, put them in clear bags and place at eye level. This is using the power of proximity -- if you see it, you will eat it.

2. Hide Your Temptation
Get your refrigerator working for you -- move your temptations, like alcohol and sweets, out of sight. Move condiments, beer and sweets to the crisper, where you'll forget they're there.

3. Stock Fridge with Grab-n-Go Items
Everyone's busy, and often grabbing a bag of potato chips is a lot easier than making something healthy. But there are easy things you can do to make healthy more convenient. Stock your fridge with hardboiled eggs, grilled chicken, roasted veggies and pre-cut fruits.

See all of Dawn's Healthy Eating Tips from Today's Show

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Electronic Abdominal Toning Devices – Do They Actually Work?

The use of electronic abdominal toning devices in order to lose weight and tone your stomach area has been seen on television for quite some time now. Infomercials as well as actual demonstrations in shopping malls are not that uncommon. The big question is if these devices actually do as they claim? Or are they just another fad that will come to pass in time?

A lot of people are debating regarding the efficiency of these electronic abdominal toning devices. Some would claim that they actually have pleasing results but there are others that argue that it does not help you lose weight.

From a medical standpoint, the use of electricity to stimulate the muscles of the body has been an established practice. EMS or Electronic Muscle Stimulation is utilized by hospitals and physical therapy institutions in order to help people with conditions regarding muscle atrophy, regaining function and motion in extremities, decreasing spasms in muscles and enhancing the natural healing process after surgery.

Now if you are wondering exactly what EMS has to do with abdominal toning devices, EMS is the technology that is used in these devices. Basically, what manufactures claim is that the product enhances and stimulates the natural contractions of the muscles in the abdominal area. And by doing so in a constant rate and manner, the muscles are toned and become firmer.

Well, at first it does seem like a good deal to try but there have been studies made regarding these products which disprove this claim. In a study performed in order to test the efficacy of these electronic abdominal toning devices, the subjects found the method to be a waste of time. It was observed that weight loss was not achieved and that no apparent change had occurred to the muscles of the abdominal region. There were even comments that the process was painful and could cause numbness or difficulty in movement.

What It Can Do

What these products can do is to be able to strengthen your muscles. By constantly contracting, your muscles gain better endurance and resistance. Unfortunately, there is no correlation to losing weight or fat in this region. Also, the dimensions of the body (particularly the waist area) will remain the same.

Risks Involved

For those that still want to consider trying out these electronic abdominal toning devices, you can still do so. But before you proceed with purchasing this product, make sure that you have no current condition that could potentially endanger your life when used in combination with the product. This pertains to certain electronic devices that have been surgically implanted in the body such as pacemakers for the heart and other metallic implants like bone pins and plates. This could potentially harm your well being when used together with a electronic toning device.

To ensure that you are safe to try this type of product, make sure to consult your doctor first. That way you are assured that there are no major risks involved in the process.

For further information regarding abdominal toning devices, please visit our website at MyReviewsNow.net

Ten Foods that Help You Lose Weight

Ten foods that help you lose weight Add these fresh foods to your weekly shopping list to help your weight loss.

These 10 foods pack a nutritious punch with vitamins and minerals, which can help kick your weight loss into gear and fuel your body with the good stuff.

Blueberries Loaded with anti-oxidants, phyto flavonoids and vitamin C, berries may help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and act as an anti-inflammatory. Studies have also shown that blueberries may help with short-term memory loss associated with brain-ageing. The darker the colour, the more anti-oxidants. Best of all, you can enjoy berries all year round as frozen are just as good as fresh. Extra-lean beef A common nutrient deficiency in women is iron. Enjoying extra-lean beef in your diet is a guaranteed iron injection, without excess saturated fat. Iron helps make up haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrier in the blood. Without enough iron, you can suffer from fatigue, poor concentration and even increase your body's susceptibility to colds and infections.
Fresh herbs Of the 50 foods highest in anti-oxidants, 13 are fresh herbs and spices. One study at the University of Oslo in Norway found oregano had 42 times more anti-oxidants than apples. One tablespoon of fresh oregano has the same free-radical fighting power as one medium-sized apple. Legumes Legumes, including chickpeas, kidney beans and black beans are low-GI foods which help regulate blood sugar and appetite. Black beans are particularly rich in fibre and nutrients, plus they're almost fat-free. Legumes can aid weight loss as they fill you up on fewer kilojoules and POINTS values than many meat sources of protein.
Oats Not only packed with fibre, oats are brimming with protein, good fats and vitamins and minerals. They've been known to help ease the harmful effects of "bad" cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. Buy natural rolled oats (leave the sugar-loaded sachets on the shelf) and cook them in the microwave with skim milk, topped with banana and a drizzle of honey for a super-nutritious breakfast. Oranges Most famously know for their vitamin C, oranges also contain many phytochemicals thought to lower the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and inflammatory conditions in women. Oranges also contain potassium, good for water balance between cells and assisting with high blood pressure. Raw nuts Each nut contains its own unique profile of phytochemicals, types of fatty acids, and amounts of fibre. Most nuts contain monounsaturated fat, which may help lower "bad" cholesterol. Remember to watch your portions as it's easy to eat too many.
Spinach Popeye wasn't right about the iron content of spinach, as the form of iron in spinach is not as absorbable as animal sources. However, he was getting a great daily dose of B vitamin folate. Spinach is one of nature's best sources of folate, which helps prevent birth defects and may lower the risk of heart disease, dementia and even colon cancer. Tomatoes Tomatoes are well known for their high amounts of lycopene, which is considered a potential agent for prevention of some types of cancer. But this tasty fruit also packs other anti-oxidants, too, including betacarotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Tomatoes are truly one of nature's superfoods! Yoghurt Our digestive system needs a healthy amount of "good" bacteria in the digestive tract. One way we can assist good bacteria is by boosting probiotic intake. Look for low-fat yoghurt with active cultures such as acidophilus, but keep an eye on the sugar content. Yoghurt is also rich in protein, making it a filling snack.

Top 5 Worst Beauty Habits to Give Up

Our skin is the first thing people notice about us. And no makeup can help if you suffer from various skin problems. It is absolutely essential to find out and eradicate the reason that causes pimples, irritations and other skin problems. The reasons can be really diversified starting from unhealthy diet to our own beauty habits. Let's find out which of your usual yet harmful beauty habits cause skin problems and how to quit them.

Harmful Beauty Habit #1: Sleeping with your makeup on

Sleeping with your makeup on is an absolute no-no if you want to have beautiful, healthy skin. Just imagine you are going to expose your skin to a real torture, sleeping with a day's worth of makeup, grease and oil on your skin is a one-way ticket to clogged pores and as a result serious skin problems.

Harmful Beauty Habit #2: Using expired cosmetics

Very often we don't even think that our fave mascara has a very limited lifetime. The same goes to beauty aids and other makeup products. Carefully follow the use-by date instructions given to one or another makeup product and never use cosmetics more than 12 months after opening it. (The sign below indicates how long cosmetics can be used after opening. Find it on the packaging. )

Harmful Beauty Habit #3: Reapplying your makeup

Never reapply your makeup during the day. You can't even imagine how harmful reapplying of makeup is for your skin. Reapplying of foundation or blush over your morning makeup will clog your pores and as a result cause irritation, pimples and acne. It is better to invest in matte cosmetic tissues that would cleanse your skin and matt at the same time.

Harmful Beauty Habit #4: Overexfoliation

Although exfoliation is a key point in your daily beauty routine, you shouldn't try too hard. Remember, everything is good in moderation, thus overexfoliation can result in intensifying oil production that leading to breakouts and acne. Only gentle scrubs and exfoliators can be used every day.

Harmful Beauty Habit #5: Using dirty makeup brushes

Makeup brushes require proper care and cleansing. Using dirty makeup brushes can run into various skin problems. Makeup brushes accumulate cosmetics particles as well as dead skin cells creating a perfect environment for bacterias.

Cheech: The Comedian Who Loves Art

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How to to Avoid Injuries in Yoga Class

CN Digital Studio

self

By Bari Lieberman, SELF magazine

The yoga scene is buzzing with claims that the practice will wreck your body. (It seems like only yesterday journals were touting that yoga and stretching were key components to alleviating moderate low-back pain and boosting back function!)

Related: Kristen Bell Answers Your Biggest Health Questions

While it's easy to start pointing fingers, it's important to remember that ultimately you're responsible for preventing injury. It's up to the instructor to develop a safe class and teach proper form, but you have to listen to your body and know when to modify if necessary.

So I turned to anatomy genius Joe Miller for advice. Miller is a senior yoga teacher and teacher training instructor at OM Yoga Center in New York City. Plus, he has an MA in applied physiology and the yoga credential of being an E-RYT 500.

Here's what he had to say:

When you're in yoga class, how do you know if you're pushing yourself too far?
"The obvious clue is if you're feeling pain. Some poses are challenging and require effort, but you shouldn't be in pain. It's also important to practice honesty because it's easy to fool yourself and ignore those signals. If you're saying things like, 'Well, it's not so bad,' or 'I'm sure it's nothing,' or 'I won't be here that long,' that probably means it hurts. Change what you're doing so that it doesn't hurt, or ask your teacher for advice on how to modify the pose."

See more: The Healthiest Cities for Women

What are yoga modifications for common poses that everyone should be aware of?
1. If your hip mobility is limited, elevating your pelvis on a folded blanket or two in seated poses will allow you to upright your pelvis more easily. This will help you avoid slumping, which can stress the lower back.
2. In standing poses, place your hands on blocks if you have difficulty bringing them to the floor.
3. If short hamstrings limit your ability to reach your feet with your hands in forward bends, loop a strap around the arch of the foot and hold the strap with your hands. The strap can help you lengthen your chest forward so that you don't strain your spine by over-rounding your back. This can be done with standing or seated forward bends.

"A one-size-fits-all approach can lead to injury if you try to force your body into some idealized shape. Practicing appropriate modifications allows you to experience the benefits of the practice while keeping yourself healthy," says Miller.

See more: How to Dine Out and Still Lose Weight

What's the easiest way to prevent injury in yoga class?
"It's easy to get distracted by the excitement of keeping up with everybody else in class and ignore the signals your body is sending you. The more you can remind yourself that you're practicing for long-term health and well being rather than short-term results, the more likely you are to listen to the signals that you might be heading towards an injury."

More from SELF:

• 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss
• Yoga Moves for Flat Abs
• 38 Antiaging Foods
• Gwyneth Paltrow's Arm and Ab Workout

Rachel Dratch and More Support the Afghan Women's Writing Project

At the organization's fundraiser, female actors and comedians joined together to fight the subjugation of Afghan women.

-Diana Denza, BettyConfidential.com

AWWP

Many of us know that women in Afghanistan struggle simply to survive in a country where hostility and violence has become part of everyday life. Simply living takes courage; writing stories of dreams, lost loved ones, and persecution can cost these women their lives.

As I headed to the Afghan Women's Writing Project poetry event on January 22, 2012, the air was frigid after an icy mix of snow and rain. The Brooklyn avenues were darkened and deserted.

When I finally arrived at the Magic Futurebox Theater, I took a seat in the spacious yet damp and grey venue. In a fair world, this event would have been held in a Broadway theater filled with throngs of deep-pocketed supporters. But even though the 50 or so attendees in the factory-turned-performing space thrust their hands into pockets or gloves for warmth, we were heartened simply to know that an organization like this exists.

Even in the brutal January cold, there are people out there who care enough to listen to a small group of actresses and comedians read these infinitely brave women's stories. One of those comedians was former Saturday Night Live star and author, Rachel Dratch. "Lynn [the event coordinator] is from my hometown," Dratch told me as she shivered in a pink hoodie on one of the theater's battered couches. "When she told me about this, I was hooked. I was already a bit aware of the hardships faced by Afghan women, but it's nice to know there are resources out there for them."

Though this funny lady's forte is a good comedy skit, she's impressively unafraid to make the leap out of her comfort zone and try new things. "My book, Girl Walks into a Bar, comes out this March," Dratch said. "It's an autobiography. It focuses a lot on my life when my career started to slow down a bit. I went on dates, had a midlife crisis, experienced a few calamities, and even did a little dog sitting. And then -surprise! -I got pregnant. I'm getting used to these new experiences. I'm reading poems today by Afghan women. This is serious and much unlike anything I've ever done before."

Not that the audience could tell that the calm and collected-looking Dratch was rushing to perfect her lines before the event. Injecting a bit of her usual comedy into an otherwise somber reading, she greeted the audience with, "Afghan women write in cold, windowless rooms. Today, we're replicating these conditions."

But this reading was most definitely worth the layers and gloves: funds raised by the event will go to providing Afghan women with needed Internet access, secure spaces to write, and laptops. The Afghan Women's Writing Project reports that every year, it takes $2,500 to give one woman the resources she needs to tell her story.

And these stories will simultaneously fill you with hope and break your heart.

AWWP 2

One of the first standout pieces was "The Blue Cage," performed by Stephanie Masucci. Arifa, a young Afghan woman, wrote:

"Who am I under the blue burqa?

I want to fly from this blue cage.

I want to feel love and peace.

I want to take a pen and write dreams of freedom on the world walls."

Writer Chrissie Gruebel's reading of "Hope for Afghan Women" was a tear jerking call to change. Zahra A. wrote:

"This is my hope:

A country without war

Where women are counted as human beings,

Where peace lies in the soul of every Afghan,

Where peace in parents' hearts allows their children education,

And where children do not fear being blown up by a bomb on their way home."

Later, the second to last piece, titled "Sack of Winds," told the tale of a young woman's crushed dreams. As performed by actress Tracy Mull, Norwan writes: "I run after the winds/ in the blank deserts/ find nothing/ but dead wishes."

These sentiments stood in contrast to "My Dreams," which told a tale of rebirth and achievement despite crushing odds. Transformed into a song by Roopa Singh, the last performance of the afternoon left us with a sense of Afghan women's immeasurable strength. Farahnaz wrote:

"I flew higher and higher again.

I was very close to the sun,

And it was trying to destroy my wings again,

But the shine of my wings destroyed the sun.

There was no sun left this time to fire up my wings and

Take me far from my dreams.

Like me, my wishes are also shining in the sky.

I am full of confidence that my dreams are coming true."

After this unforgettable experience came to a close, I was left more convinced than ever that with a lot of effort and some time, we can help make these women's dreams come true.

To find out how you can help the Afghan Women's Writing Project, visit the organization's Get Involved tab.

More BettyConfidential.com

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7 Myths About Prenatal Exercise

7 myths about prenatal exercise

I credit much of my healthy, complication-free pregnancy to the fact that I got my butt out of bed every morning and exercised (minus the first and last couple of weeks). The benefits of prenatal exercise are undisputed - for both mom and baby. In fact, many experts say that being inactive is the real risk, leading to high blood pressure, excessive aches and pains, and a high risk for gestational diabetes.

But there are a lot of myths circulating about prenatal exercise, scaring women off from being active. I'd like to tackle each myth, debunking it with a mix of research and personal experience …

If you weren't active before pregnancy, you can't be active now

1. If you weren't active before pregnancy, you can't be active now
It's common belief that if you did (blank) before pregnancy, you can (blank) during your pregnancy. While helpful to those who've always been active, it can be confusing to those women who don't know where to get started. What if I used to be a runner, and I haven't laced up in a year? What if I wasn't too active - how much is safe now?

According to Raul Artal, MD, lead author of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) guidelines on prenatal exercise, "nowhere in the medical literature does it say that moderate exercise such as walking is unsafe, even for previously sedentary women." For normal, healthy pregnancies, Artal recommends walking 30 to 60 minutes a day, broken up however you'd like. The ACOG recommends that previously inactive women should start slowly - beginning with as little as 5 minutes of exercise a day and adding 5 minutes each week until they can stay active for 30 minutes a day.

The most important areas to focus on are your pelvic floor, hips, and back

2. The most important areas to focus on are your pelvic floor, hips, and back
I'm not sure where I read this during my pregnancy, but I focused all of my prenatal strength training on hip flexor and lower-back exercises - thinking it would strengthen the area needed for labor. But then I actually went through labor, and little did I know that it actually works every muscle in your body - even muscles you didn't know you had. (Not to mention you'll spend the next year carrying a heavy car seat/infant/diaper bag.)

Speaking from personal experience, I urge you to strengthen your arms, legs, and core as well. As long as your pregnancy isn't considered high-risk, doing some strength training is completely safe. A recent study conducted by the University of Georgia followed a group of pregnant women, between weeks 21 and 25, for 12 weeks as they weight-trained (with supervision) two days per week. No one was injured. However, it's important to note that you should stop lifting weights at the first sign of dizziness. Overexertion is not healthy for anyone!

Related: Prenatal fitness - 10 safe exercises to do during pregnancy

Ab exercises are out of the question

3. Ab exercises are out of the question
In an interview with Fit Pregnancy, prenatal fitness trainer Sara Haley said that doing crunches on your back is a no-no because "your growing uterus can compress the vena cava, the major vessel that returns blood to your heart, potentially reducing blood flow and making you feel dizzy and nauseated." But, she reassures, there are plenty of ways to work out your core by standing, kneeling, or using a stability ball. In fact, Haley performed the plank move until the day she gave birth (which she was very thankful for during those last two hours of labor).

Exercising can cause miscarriage

4. Exercising can cause miscarriage
A Danish study of 92,000 women showed no increase in miscarriage from exercise performed after 18 weeks. Before 18 weeks, an increase in miscarriage was found only in women who intensely worked out more than 7 hours per week with high-impact activities. As long as your healthcare provider approves your exercise plans, you can rest assured that you'll actually be doing your body a favor rather than putting it at risk; prenatal exercise can actually reduce some symptoms of pregnancy, such as back pain and other discomforts.

So while experts still can't say for sure, it's best to stick to low-impact activities in the first 18 weeks, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive huffing and puffing. It's also a good idea to avoid exercising in the heat so that your core body temperature isn't raised too high.

Related: 8 tips for safe prenatal workouts

Don't work out more than 3 times a week

5. Don't work out more than 3 times a week
According to Lisa Druxman, a pre- and postnatal fitness expert and founder of Stroller Strides, "Following a doctor's approval, it's recommended that pregnant women engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise daily, five or more times a week." (This includes everything from walking down the road to climbing stairs.) The ACOG agrees, recommending exercising and being active "at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days of the week" to help physical ailments (constipation, backaches, swelling, etc.) and medical conditions (like gestational diabetes), and to help cope with labor and recovery. The ACOG also cites improved mood, energy, and sleeping as reasons to exercise.

Your heart rate shouldn't go over 140 beats per minute

6. Your heart rate shouldn't go over 140 beats per minute
Although this used to be a common recommendation from the ACOG and OBGYNs, women's heart rates vary too widely to stick to this rule. The ACOG now recommends that women use the "Borg Scale" (or the talk test) to determine physical exertion: during moderate activity, you should be able to talk (but not sing) through an activity. Learn more from the CDC guidelines on measuring physical activity intensity.

Related: Top 10 reasons why I got my tubes tied

Pregnant women should only do low-impact activities

7. Pregnant women should only do low-impact activities
Yes, pregnancy causes the hormone relaxin to loosen your ligaments to prepare for labor, but you don't need to limit yourself to water aerobics and the elliptical machine from the get-go. Of course there will probably come a time when jogging will feel uncomfortable, but according to fitness instructor Nicole Nichols for BabyFit.com, you can easily modify most pre-pregnancy fitness routines throughout your pregnancy - even spin classes and Pilates - with advice from your instructor. Your body will also tell you its limits, so just pay attention to how you're feeling.

There are some exercises, however, that are off limits. The ACOG recommends avoiding high-risk activities, such as gymnastics, water skiing, and horseback riding, and contact sports, such as hockey, basketball, and soccer. They also recommend avoiding scuba diving because of decompression sickness, and downhill skiing because it shifts your center of gravity and puts you at risk of altitude sickness.

Bottom line: Talk to your doctor, stay hydrated, and always listen to your body. But above all else - start moving!

- By Michelle Horton

For 3 more debunked myths about prenatal exercise, visit Babble!

MORE ON BABBLE
12 ways to sneak more workout time into your day
8 unexpected benefits of exercise
What you should NEVER say to a pregnant woman
10 things every woman should do before having kids
No harm, no foul: 10 "unsafe" things I did while pregnant

Stay connected. Follow Babble on Facebook and Twitter.

Tukul Ngawur...!

Click di sini terlebih dahulu untuk menampilkan video dengan kualitas yang lebih baik



Dulu saya penggemar acara ini (EmpatMata) tapi lama-lama sudah tidak menarik lagi dan ngawur.! Hostnya (Tukul) udah nggak lucu lagi lawakannya dan mulai ngawur. Mulai dari menjelek-jelekkan kelakuan istrinya, terus mengambil keuntungan dari para bintang tamu wanita seperti meraba-raba, mengelus-elus dan sejenisnya, juga melecehkan orang-orang yang "kurang" berada dalam segala hal. Dan parahnya hal ini dibiarkan oleh pihak stasiun TV/ Trans7... dan dianggak menguntungkan untuk menaikkan rating... sampai sekarang..! Masih banyak adegan-adegan serupa yang "melecehkan" wanita yang ditayangkan diacara ini.. dan KPI pun seakan pura-pura tidak tau atau ikut menikmati..? WTF.!, benar kata orang2 bijak bahwa kiamat bukan akan terjadi tetapi SUDAH dimulai... Astagfirullahhh.. ck ck ck..

Bila teman-teman suka klik tombol like disebelah ya

Would You Have a Baby Before Marriage?

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Over the last few years, we've noticed a growing trend in Hollywood: Stars are getting pregnant before they get hitched. Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie, and Ashlee Simpson are just a few who went that route. And it seems to be gaining steam again-Jessica Simpson and Kristin Cavallari are currently engaged and preggers.

By Korin Miller

The whole "baby before marriage" thing looks like it worked out for most of these celebs, but they also have loads of disposable income to spend on nannies, diapers, etc., which, let's be honest: most regular people don't have.

Related: What Happens to Your Body After You Have A Baby

Naturally, we wondered what you thought about going this route, so we conducted an online poll. The verdict? A whopping 70 percent of you think you should get married before you have a baby. A lot of celebs have been engaged when they got pregnant or got engaged soon after, but 59 percent of you said having a diamond ring on your finger still isn't a good enough reason to have a baby before taking a trip down the aisle.

Related: 10 Things Women Do Better Than Men

The main reason: Most of you said you'd be worried the relationship wouldn't work out and you'd have to raise the little one on your own. And a few said you're just a more traditional girl at heart when it comes to starting a family.

Related: 7 Ways to Have A Great Orgasm

As for those of you who said you didn't need a wedding band before getting pregnant, the top reason was that you wouldn't want to rush into marriage if you weren't sure he was The One.

Read more at Cosmopolitan.com!

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New Year's Resolution: How Goes Your Diet?

By Kristin Fast, Lifestyle Editor and In-House Wit-Cracker

Resolutions

It's January 25, do you know where your resolution is?

Mine is happening right now as my little fingers fly (poke) over the keyboard of my hand-me-down laptop; Resolution 2012, more writing.

Only took 25 days to get crackin'.

Do you know that almost half of all Americans make a New Year's Resolution and by June, more than half of those folks are still sticking with it?

Astounding and Huzzah!

The magic seems to be to not make goals along the lines of: I will lose 25 pounds by February 1 or I will never drink again, but rather to approach the clean slate of a new calendar year with more open possibilities such as, I will move more over the next 12 months or, cocktails are a weekend treat… see the difference? The more rigid and extreme, the greater the chance for failure.

Which is why, on the last day of 2011, I decided to forgo my usual blather about trekking Machu Pichu and simply aim to do more of the one thing that I actually want to do more of: write.

I need to write because of what is happening Chez Fast. The oldest child is a freshman in high school, the middle child is in the 8th grade and the youngest is in 2nd but let's be honest, she is really more of a short adult than actual child so the bottom line is all of my wee babies are so not wee babies and I have been actively mourning the loss of their non-baby status for close to five months to the point where I have been banned from even looking at any pre-2010 photos because my maudlin state makes me weepy and then dinner is late…

And where I am going with this you ask? I am going straight into needing some documentation of my busy life which goes by much too quickly and I need to set things down so when I am an old woman I can look back and remember these precious, precious days before my kids had the nerve to grow up and get their own lives.

That is actually another little know trick of resolution success: mania.

I am asking you all for help. Help me stay focused. Once a month I will be here, Succulent-ing for your pleasure, but give me feedback and let me know what you want to hear about… for example, who among you needs tips when dealing with a first year high schooler with a senior girlfriend? I can help!

I would love to know how you are doing on your goals for 2012. Have you stuck with them or perhaps revised them? And more importantly, what motivated you and can we help you?

Read more: http://www.thesucculentwife.com/a-new-years-resolution-how-goes-your-diet/#ixzz1kW3twvY3

Everyday Spirit - the Season of Love

By Jennifer Urezzio, Contributor - Spiritual Affairs

It was the day after Christmas. I stopped in the grocery store to pick up some necessities and was confronted with the Season of Love.

Giant pink and red hearts filled the aisle. I was surrounded by heart candies and heart cards and everything one would need to create the Season of Love. And yet, what is truly needed to create love in your life doesn't come in a box, bag or card. It comes from within.

Most relationships fail because we are looking to that individual to complete us, to fill an empty hole that was created by some wound or painful experience. If you are interested in creating a new season of love, a relationship that is based on a solid foundation and in any relationship you are yourself, well here are my suggestions.

Take Time To Feel Complete and Whole

Young girl on a grass

The truth is that you are complete and whole. The truth is that you are perfect just the way you are and in knowing and feeling this you won't try to change yourself or anyone while in a relationship. Here's my suggested exercise (and I will admit it is a tough one).

Look in the mirror each day and state out loud the following, while looking yourself in the eye.

• I am whole and complete
• I am perfect just the way I am
• I am love
• I am loved
• I feel safe giving and receiving love

Notice how you feel during this exercise. Even if it is tough, keep conducting it once a day for 10 days. Then see how you feel on the eleventh day conducting it. I would venture to bet you feel more confident, more loving and more your true self.

How Do You Express Love

Often we are under the impression that our mates and family don't love us because we are expecting the expression of their love to look a certain way. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, has determined that there are five ways people express love (and see Audrey's review of the book here). They are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Your love language might not be the same as your mates. To start communicating with your loved ones with their language of love, first determine your love language and then discover what languages your family and mate speak. You can learn more about Gary's book here. What you will become aware of is how much your family and friends do care and love you.

Trust and Be Vulnerable

How many times have you screamed at a movie screen and said, "Just tell her how you feel"? Most people don't express their feelings or their truth because they feel unsafe being vulnerable. Today is your opportunity to take a chance and trust yourself to pick the right person to be you with. An exercise I always do is this: Ask your body to place you in a feeling and expression of trust and feeling safe being vulnerable.

What you are doing in this exercise is creating a new pattern in your body and you will start attracting circumstances that reflect this feeling of trust and safety in your everyday world.

There just isn't one day to express your love or a season. It is up to you to create each moment of love within yourself.

Read more: http://www.thesucculentwife.com/#ixzz1kWCqEUww

Weight Loss Tips

Being as personal trainer teaching people about nutrition and weight management through my training sessions and Wanted to share some basic weight loss tip with those who are struggling or finding their diet boring.
1. Break fast is Must. The most important meal of a day. Fast is broken that your body has been on for the last 6-9 hours during sleeping. Those who takes break fast have better weight management ability.

2 Drinking Water is best - Plenty of water! The First weak Drink 1-2 liters then after a weak drinks 2-3 liters a day...
3. Start Eating Regularly! Eat every 3 hours. This helps your body to fight off cravings, gives your body a smoother energy level throughout the day, will help you eat less at meal times and will keep your hunger at bay.
4. Eat 5 Times a day. Breakfast, small snack mid morning, Lunch, small snack mid afternoon, evening meal no later.
5. Exercise is Must! Eating healthily will make you lose weight but you will lose more and feel better by doing some exercise. It wills tight loose skin after weigh loss created
6. After Exercise get enough sleep! The body repairs and grows during sleep but also adapts to changes in eating habits too.
7. Please keep notice carbohydrates! In most culture the fat is considered the worst guy but you to keep watch carbohydrates. The energy is created by curb and if we eat too many crabs it gets turned into fat if we don't burn them off. The body slows down during the late afternoon and Please avoid eating tons of potatoes, pasta or pastry type rice, is not good.
8. Please maintain food diary. This will helps what to eat or not, means where are you now your weight, where has to go desired weight, how will get it , through diet exercise sleeping.
9. Stop calorie count? Please be motivated when you loose weight celebrate it ,when you feel hungry please drinks water as much you can means drinking water between your meals will help keep hunger under control.
10. Try to eat healthy foods available.
11. Try Yoga is most best exercise for weight loss

Benefits of Phentermine (Adipex) 37.5 mg:

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Phentermine (Adipex) acts as stimulation for nervous system and also known as anorectic. It stimulates the satiate centre of the brain, which in turn makes you feel less hungry and this way it suppresses your appetite which leads to consumption of controlled diet. This suppressant diet is ideal for weight control. This may be due to the boost of metabolism in the body which suppress the desire for excess food and create the sense of fullness in the mind of the person. To get the best result of Phentermine (Adipex) for weight control, you should simultaneously start exercising and taking controlled diet. This procedure, if followed seriously can get you the best result.

Phentermine 37.5 diet pills are not new to the market and are offering the needs of individuals from a reasonable time. All you have to do is to buy them from any of the health-related retail store as they are easily available in the market. You can even utilize online stores for buying them as there are numerous internet websites which in turn provide you these types of service. Phentermine 37.5 medication is generally available in the market in several various arrangements or doses.

You can find 15 milligrams and 30 mg tablets in the market and will additionally discover phentermine 37.5 mg tablets. Individuals generally choose phentermine 37.5 mg tablets as more quantity of Phentermine (Adipex) medication can help within dropping more weight in less time. But the result of fat reduction basically depends on how you intake it and in what amount. They are usually obtained simply right after talking to a physician in order to get preferred outcomes. You can also consider support of several publications that specify concerning their utilization or can go online for getting more knowledge about these. Undertaking some easy routines along with the use of phentermine weight control tablets could definitely help you in getting more precised outcomes.

Therefore start using phentermine 37.5 mg tablets now and get a perfect entire body.

Phentermine helps control your appetite, and boosts your metabolism. Side effects are numerous. The most serious include nausea, chronic constipation, elevated bloodpressure, insomnia, and addiction. Make no mistake, Phentermine is an amphetamine. It's a tightly controlled substance for a reason, and should ONLY be used under a Doctor's supervision.

With that said, yes, it will help you lose weight. Early on the nausea helps you learn when to stop eating (ie. portion control). The boost in metabolism keeps you burning calories even though your body wants to slow things down because it's taking in less calories (the dreaded starvation mode). With normal diet and exercise, most people lose a pound or two a week. Using the Phentermine can boost it to 3 to 5 pounds a week.

Now, Phentermine is not a magic bullet! Eating a low fat, high fiber, balanced diet is essential. So is exercising, 3 to 5 times a week. You can still pork out and not lose weight, even while taking the drug. If you stop losing weight, your doctor is quite likely to stop writing prescriptions for it. BTW- You can only get a 30 day supply of Phentermine at a time with no refills. So you have to keep going back to your doctor (remember, controlled substance!).

Concerning all the ads for Phentermine that you see (saw) in the article. If you have a AAA membership, you can get a 30 day supply of genuine 37.5mg Phentermine from your local pharmacy for less than $20.

One last comment, if you want to lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF, you have to make a life style change. Once most people reach their weight goal, they go off their diet, stop exercising, and gain all the weight back and more. It has to be a permanent change to your eating and exercising habits or all your effort will go to waste. The voice of experience is speaking!

You'd be surprised just how many people in the world have the same story to tell when it comes to losing weight. From all the promising and widely advertised diet programs that lure you into spending your hard earned money to the very latest weight loss supplements, health drinks, and herbal pills, you still end up losing not a single pound. These are some of the countless losing weight testimonials that could be frustrating at times.
Obesity is indeed an uphill task. It's a condition we have created ourselves with our bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. The ache and pain we suffer because of the extra pounds is becoming a huge problem in today's world. Losing weight is always easier said than done and most of us need a little extra help along the way.
That's why we need the magic boost of Phentermine in order to achieve our weight loss goal. Incorporating phentermine into your weight loss program, along with healthy diet and ample exercise can cause a great deal of weight loss in the initial week of intake. An appetite suppressant pill that has been available in the market for almost five decades, phentermine has been successful in helping obese patient cope up with obesity problems and achieve their ideal weight.
Phentermine is Considered an Effective Weight Loss Tool
Most of us rely on dieting in order to lose weight. But more often than not dieting can further worsen your weight problem. It may work initially and help you lose a few pounds. But when you switched back to your regular diet, the weight just all came back. Losing weight through dieting is really a tough path as obese patients finds it hard to control their urges and cravings for binge eating.

Treat Your Overweight Problem With Phentermine

The obesity is the disease that takes place due to the extra fat in ones body and the excess fat is mostly found in the lower waist and hips of a person. Obesity is dangerous and life taking disease. You can treat your overweight problem with phentermine.

The overweight comes from the junk food we eat. The more amounts of calories are taken in and they result in obesity. If you have obesity then due to that you may suffer from many more diseases which are harmful and deadly.

The individual must have sufficient information and details on phentermine before taking it. It is a type of anorectic drug used to reduce weight quickly. It would help you to reduce your appetite or hunger by directing the flow of signals from neuro transmitter of the brain to nervous system.

If the appetite is in control then there is no question of increase in weight. The phentermine is given only at the times when it is most needed. Since these pills can be taken only for limited time period and as your doctors and physiotherapists prescribe.

The BMI is otherwise known as body mass index and when your BMI reaches 27 or above phentermine is provided. If your BMI is high then it is not a good sign. This would lead to diseases of cardio metabolism also.

The best way to buy cheap phentermine medicine is to go to the pharmacies nearby your house. Visit various pharmacies to get better rates and offers. Compare the price and then buy the phentermine pill which also provides free prescription.

Before buying the phentermine pills make sure that you have consulted your physiotherapists and doctors. Why go for a physiotherapist? It is required because after you take phentermine you would be required to carry out functional exercises and follow an effective diet.

The physiotherapists would examine your health status and provide you the appropriate dose of phentermine. It is usually 37.5 mg but it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Best Weight Loss Pills

Benefits of Phentermine 37.5 mg:

Being overweight or obese is one the most significant problems of this modern globe that is uncomfortable a large number of individuals. You must be well aware of the fact that a large number of people are suffering from over weight or exceedingly overweight.

Phentermine 37.5 diet pills are not new to the market and are offering the needs of individuals from a reasonable time. All you have to do is to buy them from any of the health-related retail store as they are easily available in the market. You can even utilize online stores for buying them as there are numerous internet websites which in turn provide you these types of service. Phentermine 37.5 medication is generally available in the market in several various arrangements or doses.

You can find 15 milligrams and 30 mg tablets in the market and will additionally discover Phentermine 37.5 mg tablets. Individuals generally choose Phentermine 37.5 mg tablets as more quantity of Phentermine medication can help within dropping more weight in less time. But the result of fat reduction basically depends on how you intake it and in what amount. They are usually obtained simply right after talking to a physician in order to get preferred outcomes.

Therefore start using Phentermine 37.5 mg tablets now and get a perfect entire body.

Weight Loss the French Secret You Should Know

Want to know what the French secret is to weight loss? Then read this article to find out.
Yogurt is big business. That yogurt is both nutritious, and beginning to be appreciated as one of the solutions to the current US obesity crisis account for great deal of its marketability.
If you spend any time looking at the contents of the refrigerated dairy cases in your grocery store, you know that yogurt has now supplanted cottage cheese as the dieter's dairy snack. Fat-free; sugar-free; low-fat; full fat; fruit-sweetened; unsweetened; with additives ranging from extra cultures to chocolate, yogurt can be eaten, drunk, or frozen on a stick and licked like a popsicle.

And now, this food has been shown in studies to help with fat loss, when combined with a calorie reduced diet. Studies at the University of Tennessee have shown that three servings of yogurt a daycan help you to lose 22% more weight, 60% more body fat, than a restricted-calorie diet . In addition, 80% more abdominal fat was lost in the group with yogurt.
You can add yogurt to your morning cereal; pour it over a bowl of fresh fruit; throw it in the blender, add whatever you want, and make a smoothie; or simply spoon it from its store container and eat it like pudding.
What you may not know is that eating three 6 ounce (the standard single size container) servings of yogurt per day will provide you with about 1100 milligrams of dietary calcium. It will also give you high quality protein without loading up the calorie count. French women have long known that adding one or two servings of yogurt each day to their diets helps them keep their famously slim French profiles.
As admirable as having a slim profile may be, if you are female, and especially if you are a Baby Boomer, you are probably thinking more and more about getting dietary calcium. You know that osteoporosis is a real risk for postmenopausal women. The same calcium found in yogurt which helps your bones stay strong as been clinically shown to promote weight loss, reduce body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass, and most importantly, eliminate abdominal fat.
Abdominal fat has been linked to a number of serious conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. When three 6-ounce servings of low-fat yogurt are included in a calorie-reduced diet, abdominal fat loss is shown to increase an average of 81% over the amount lost with a calorie-restricted diet alone.
How can you add yogurt to your weight loss diet?
Begin your day with a trio of super foods: prepare a half a cup of oatmeal (rolled oats, not instant), add a half a cup of wild blueberries, and mix in six ounces a cup of low-fat yogurt.
If you brown bag it to school or work, toss in a carton of yogurt along with your sandwich. Look for low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice. Substitute plain yogurt for sour cream on your potato or in your vegetable dips.
Make yogurt cheese (simply pour plain yogurt into cheesecloth and let it drain into a bowl over night). Yogurt cheese, like tofu, picks up the flavor of anything you mix it with. So mix it with peanut butter, mayonnaise, or even ice cream and cut your fat and calories while getting all the nutritional and weight-loss benefits of yogurt!
Even if you use a sweet flavored yogurt like lemon or vanilla to make yogurt cheese, you will keep the sweet flavor but have a much richer texture. There is really no reason why yogurt cannot play a leading role in your weight loss diet!

Benefits of Phentermine (Adipex) 37.5 mg:

Phentermine (Adipex) 37.5 mg is the best known weight suppressant drug which can keep your weight in check by suppressing the desire to eat more food. The reason for the diet suppressant in the body is due to the ingredient of Phentermine. This drug is best for short-term health management, but taking of this drug should be avoided for longer period weight reduction solutions. This pill is easily available in many online pharmacy and retail stores. Before buying from online pharmacy, the authenticity of the pharmacy should be checked thoroughly. It is very essential to find the trustworthiness and reliability of online store.

Phentermine (Adipex) acts as stimulation for nervous system and also known as anorectic. It stimulates the satiate centre of the brain, which in turn makes you feel less hungry and this way it suppresses your appetite which leads to consumption of controlled diet. This suppressant diet is ideal for weight control. This may be due to the boost of metabolism in the body which suppress the desire for excess food and create the sense of fullness in the mind of the person. To get the best result of Phentermine (Adipex) for weight control, you should simultaneously start exercising and taking controlled diet. This procedure, if followed seriously can get you the best result.

Phentermine 37.5 diet pills are not new to the market and are offering the needs of individuals from a reasonable time. All you have to do is to buy them from any of the health-related retail store as they are easily available in the market. You can even utilize online stores for buying them as there are numerous internet websites which in turn provide you these types of service. Phentermine 37.5 medication is generally available in the market in several various arrangements or doses.

You can find 15 milligrams and 30 mg tablets in the market and will additionally discover phentermine 37.5 mg tablets. Individuals generally choose phentermine 37.5 mg tablets as more quantity of Phentermine (Adipex) medication can help within dropping more weight in less time. But the result of fat reduction basically depends on how you intake it and in what amount. They are usually obtained simply right after talking to a physician in order to get preferred outcomes. You can also consider support of several publications that specify concerning their utilization or can go online for getting more knowledge about these. Undertaking some easy routines along with the use of phentermine weight control tablets could definitely help you in getting more precised outcomes.

Therefore start using phentermine 37.5 mg tablets now and get a perfect entire body.

Phentermine helps control your appetite, and boosts your metabolism. Side effects are numerous. The most serious include nausea, chronic constipation, elevated bloodpressure, insomnia, and addiction. Make no mistake, Phentermine is an amphetamine. It's a tightly controlled substance for a reason, and should ONLY be used under a Doctor's supervision.

With that said, yes, it will help you lose weight. Early on the nausea helps you learn when to stop eating (ie. portion control). The boost in metabolism keeps you burning calories even though your body wants to slow things down because it's taking in less calories (the dreaded starvation mode). With normal diet and exercise, most people lose a pound or two a week. Using the Phentermine can boost it to 3 to 5 pounds a week.

Now, Phentermine is not a magic bullet! Eating a low fat, high fiber, balanced diet is essential. So is exercising, 3 to 5 times a week. You can still pork out and not lose weight, even while taking the drug. If you stop losing weight, your doctor is quite likely to stop writing prescriptions for it. BTW- You can only get a 30 day supply of Phentermine at a time with no refills. So you have to keep going back to your doctor (remember, controlled substance!).

Concerning all the ads for Phentermine that you see (saw) in the article. If you have a AAA membership, you can get a 30 day supply of genuine 37.5mg Phentermine from your local pharmacy for less than $20.

One last comment, if you want to lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF, you have to make a life style change. Once most people reach their weight goal, they go off their diet, stop exercising, and gain all the weight back and more. It has to be a permanent change to your eating and exercising habits or all your effort will go to waste. The voice of experience is speaking!

You'd be surprised just how many people in the world have the same story to tell when it comes to losing weight. From all the promising and widely advertised diet programs that lure you into spending your hard earned money to the very latest weight loss supplements, health drinks, and herbal pills, you still end up losing not a single pound. These are some of the countless losing weight testimonials that could be frustrating at times.
Obesity is indeed an uphill task. It's a condition we have created ourselves with our bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. The ache and pain we suffer because of the extra pounds is becoming a huge problem in today's world. Losing weight is always easier said than done and most of us need a little extra help along the way.
That's why we need the magic boost of Phentermine in order to achieve our weight loss goal. Incorporating phentermine into your weight loss program, along with healthy diet and ample exercise can cause a great deal of weight loss in the initial week of intake. An appetite suppressant pill that has been available in the market for almost five decades, phentermine has been successful in helping obese patient cope up with obesity problems and achieve their ideal weight.
Phentermine is Considered an Effective Weight Loss Tool
Most of us rely on dieting in order to lose weight. But more often than not dieting can further worsen your weight problem. It may work initially and help you lose a few pounds. But when you switched back to your regular diet, the weight just all came back. Losing weight through dieting is really a tough path as obese patients finds it hard to control their urges and cravings for binge eating.