Let’s say you want to lose 30 to 50 pounds in three months.

It’s very realistic.

Because I’ve seen many accounts of that happening. And it can happen even faster to tell you the truth.

Ok.

So the biggest problem that people face here is they start out super excited but they eventually fade away.

There are several reasons…

The main one is that they more than likely lose five pounds and then they hit a plateau. The weight seems to stop dropping of their body. And for someone who doesn’t have experience this will cause enough frustration for them to quit.

The second largest reason is that they just don’t get any results from the beginning… period.

Which is easy to fix 99% of the time.

As I said, there are other reasons people fail to lose weight, but those are the two main ones.

So the question becomes how do you avoid this happening too you?

How do you lose 30 to 50 pounds in three months without allowing those success killers to stop you?

Simple. You follow the “ultimate success formula”.

This formula has been taught by people like Tony Robbins. In short, it works! And I guarantee you that it separates the winners from the losers. Success from failure.

So there are four steps to this formula…

1. Determine what you want. Your goal.

After all you can’t hit a target if you don’t have one.

2. Develop a plan for achieving it.

Do NOT make this harder than it is! All you need is a rough map here.

When it comes to losing weight it really helps to have at least a rough idea of what you’re going to do.

Speaking from experience, a few of the best things are to learn how to eat carbs at the right times and exercising the very second you wake up in the morning, before you eat.

3. Notice what results you’re getting. What’s working and what’s not working.

This is the #1 spot that people get “hung up”.

They are far too rigid in their approach. So when things get tough. When their plan is no longer working, they just stubbornly keep plodding along.

4. Make corrections and continue forward.

Look. Too many people get caught up in trying to get things perfect. Forget it. Losing weight is messy. If something is not working simply try a different approach (make a correction) until you find something that begins to work again.

So that’s the ultimate success formula.

And if there is one piece of advice I would give you it would be to just start.

If you have a goal to lose 30 to 50 pounds in three months then there is no better time to begin than right now.

Movement beats meditation. A very wise many said that.

So quickly put together a plan, get your goal and dive-in. You are gonna make mistakes. But the most important part is that you get started.

*** Need To Lose Weight Fast? ***

Here’s a simple 5 step fat loss guide that will show you how.

==> Visit http://www.naturalexplosiveweightloss.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/how-to-lose-30-to-50-pounds-in-three-months-1783540.html

How do those folks in arranged marriages keep love alive?

In our culture, so rich with the Disney Dynamic of Prince Charming finding Cinderella, and living happily ever after with the help of the Fairy Godmother and her magic or the Hefner version, Go Do It, it is anathema to think of arranged marriages.

Our parents or a marriage broker arranging our marriage? As my five year old says, “YUUUUCK!”

But Robert Epstein,Ph.D. in a recent Scientific American Mind article challenges the yuck factor.

He says that based on longevity and happiness, those arranged marriages beat our Disney and Playboy/Playgirl arrangements on two very important criterion, happiness and longevity.

Those disgusting arranged marriages last 95% of the time, even with divorce as an option, while our versions last 50% of the time in their first, second, and third iterations, and the participants in the arranged marriages, who may have met once prior to their ceremony, report increasing happiness across the years.

Epstein argues that the growing happiness is because those couples make a regular effort to build intimacy.

Now wait a minute, you mean intimacy is not what we did when we were in the stage of love described very well by Helen Fisher,Ph.D. as romantic love, which is driven by three parts of the reward system of the human brain? (The lust, love, and trust systems?)

You mean love letters agonized over for hours, drenched in perfume/cologne, long phone calls, e-mails, or texts in today’s romantic life, staying up all night, flying off to Paris on a whim, those are not the foundation of intimacy?

No.

Epstein would say that all those things we in the West associate with love are totally unnecessary to intimacy, happiness, and keeping love alive.

What is necessary according to Epstein are regular practices of exercises like what he calls soul gazing, where the participants sit fairly close together and stare into each other’s eyes to see the other’s soul.

Julie and I have tried that and it does do wonders for our closeness.

Epstein also suggests another exercise, heart rhythm synchronization, which I really like because I have used something similar for several years.

In my version, using a heart rate variability biofeedback tool called Heartmath, I teach each of the participants how to access the affiliative and cooperative brain in their hearts, and make their own heart rate variability coherent, which feels excellent by the way, and then I have them come together and get hooked up to separate computer, get themselves coherent, and then hold hands.

(Your heart has a very sophisticated nervous system, sets its own beat, and this heart intelligence can learn and make decisions separately of any other brain we have).

Keeping Love Alive Heart Beat by Heart Beat?

What those couples see is a “heart beat” of their relationship emerge which moves into an out of coherence based on the thoughts and breathing patterns of the participants.

Couples learn that heart rate variability coherence is incredibly dynamic, and that it changes very rapidly.

In other words the relationship heart beat could be adjusted heart beat by heart beat.

Keeping love alive is easier in small increments, and it is not anywhere near as loud at this early stage of adjustment.

John Gottman,Ph.D. has been studying couples at his ‘love lab’ for 30 years and has put together a workshop that he calls The Art and Science of Love, which includes a number of written and video exercises for couples to do together.

The idea is for couples to learn the behaviors that Gottman has observed his Masters of Marriage doing. Those behaviors, once learned, are repeated for keeping love alive too.

Those Masters achieve something akin to what those couples in arranged marriages achieve, which is a happy and long marriage.

That marriage may have begun in Helen Fisher’s romantic stage, but at some point, the Masters of Marriage moved into some conscious choices.

For example, Gottman suggests that 69% of marital issues will never be resolved, so we can move into the behaviors which Gottman says destroy intimacy like contempt, stonewalling, defensiveness, and criticism, or we can negotiate an arrangement that works for today, and renegotiate as needed.

To me, that sounds like moving into and out of heart rate variability coherence.

Helen Fisher’s Solution?

Helen Fisher,Ph.D., has given us a new road map of what most of us with some life experience sometimes avoid as foolishness, which she calls romantic love.

This stage of love can of course move into something deep and rich, and Professor Fisher says we have the best chance of doing that with a compatible personality type.

We can have romantic love and more if we narrow the odds.

Her research has indicated to her that humans fall into four personality types, each governed by a neurotransmitter or hormone, and chemistry is best with a compatible personality type. Wonder how her personality quiz stacks up to the marriage broker results?

So there you have it, what those lucky people in arranged marriages do to keep love alive.

Michael S. Logan is a brain fitness expert, a counselor, a student of Chi Gong, and licensed one on one HeartMath provider. I enjoy the spiritual, the mythological, and psychological, and I am a late life father to Shane, 10, and Hannah Marie, 4, whose brains are so amazing. http://www.askmikethecounselor2.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/keeping-love-alive-1776228.html

Has it occurred to you to include lower back exercises into your workouts? You will benefit from such an addition, since they contribute to rid you of the back pain while also building those muscles. As you know, back pain can be a significant impediment and can slow or restrict things you can do.

If you want a more detailed article about strengthing the lower back to remove pain, check out this free article at:Workouts To Strengthen Lower Back.

This is an increasing common problem reported by thousands of people. This is due to back muscles which are unable to support us and get further affected by our attempts at lifting stuff incorrectly. Instead of using our legs to help lift heavy things, we sometimes incorrectly use the muscles in our backs instead, leading to pain and damage as a result of surplus pressure on the back.

The best way to deal with this is by exercising those muscles, which will increase their strength and your chances to get rid of the pain. If you choose the right ones, it can actually be a lot more productive than just taking pain medication.

PELVIC TILT

Lie down, your back against the floor. Your knees should be bent and your feet against the floor. Keep your hands by your side. Tighten the muscles in your abdominal area and slightly lift your buttocks and tilt your pelvis forward so that your lower back is flat on the floor. Count for 5 seconds and gently release. You should target doing this from 5 to 15 times, if possible.

BACK TWIST

Again, on the floor, keep your feet straight and together and place your arms to your sides so that you look like the capital letter ‘T’. After bending your knees, lift them to form a 90 degree angle and keep them there for 4 seconds. Slowly start lowering your knees turning them towards the floor space on your right. The knees should be lowered together towards the floor as much as you can while avoiding excessive pain. Once there, use your core to bring them back up and then do the same movement towards the left. Try and repeat this 5 times on both the left and right sides.

THE BRIDGE

In a lying position bend your knees and keep your feet on the floor. From this position, lift your buttocks off the floor while tightening your abdominal muscles. If you follow the routine properly, your body should be straight from shoulders to knees. Stay there for five seconds and then go back to the previous position. Try doing another 5 repetitions. In addition to being beneficial to your back, this exercise is also good for your abs.

DORSAL RAISE

Lie down on your front body with your forehead supported by your hands. Raise your head off the floor about 5 inches by pushing up with your arms and keep your face looking to the floor. Pause in that position for 3 seconds and slowly return to the floor. Do a total of eight repetitions. After doing this exercise for a while, as opposed to resting your head on your arms, you may notice that you will be able to lift your head and shoulders from the floor.

So there you have it. A few exercises that you can try out straight away that will not only improve flexibility, but increase muscle strength and therefore assist with reducing or eliminating pain. There are a lot more exercises available, so be sure to look around to find what you prefer to do. Don’t forget to warm up gently by perhaps going for a small walk or jogging on the spot. This will prevent you from getting injured.

Before we go on, just thought I would remind you of a great site with free information about removing lower back pain:How To Remove The Pain From Your Lower Back.

You might find relief if you lose weight as well. In this case, throw in some cardio exercises too. Take your time to build up momentum and start by 20-40 minutes a session for 3-5 days a week.

The effects will be soon visible, with your pain gradually getting minimized and your being much more comfortable when you lift something. The problems are not likely to aggravate. We seldom choose to exercise when we’re hurting, but this should not apply to lower back issues, since they can really benefit you and drive away the pain.

Of course, it is recommended to ask your doctor before trying any new workout, because each of us is different. Some people might experience negative effects if their condition is not compatible with these type of workouts, so they would be asked to see a specialist or put on some other routine fit for their specific requirements.

If you think this kind of exercise might work for you, listen to your body’s needs. You should notice a big improvement in muscle strength and flexibility. So don’t hesitate to try it. You’ll be amazed at its effectiveness.

I really hope you enjoyed this article, I also have a review of another great product that you might want to check out here: The Truth About Abs Reviewed.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/exercises-to-strengthen-the-lower-back-1773468.html

What’s the easiest way to lose weight?

Simple.

First, get your exact number. Determine the exact amount of weight you need to lose. You can’t hit your target if you don’t have one.

Next, determine your time frame. How fast you want to lose the weight.

I’ve found that it works best if your time frame is in days. That way you can split it up evenly.

Here’s what I mean…

So let’s say you want to lose twenty pounds in thirty days.

Which, by the way, is very doable. I’ve seen people accomplish this many times. And I’ve personal done that!

Anyway, so the easiest way to lose weight would be to take that twenty pounds and divide it by thirty days. So when you do that basic calculation you find out that you need to lose .67 pounds per day.

Doesn’t seem so hard does it!

So now you’ve got a re-defined goal.

Instead of focusing on this big number, you’re only dealing with a very tiny number.

So your goal is now to lose .67 pounds per day for the next month. That’s it. If you can do that then you will lose twenty pounds.

Now what?

Here’s the key concept.

Now what you want to do is find someone. Friend. Family member. Co-worker. Basically anyone that you trust who’s lost at least fifteen to twenty pounds in the past.

What you want to do is find out exactly what they did. What they ate. How they ate. The exercises they did.

The more you find out the better.

Then you simple want to model what they did.

I can’t begin to tell you how powerful modeling is. Especially when it comes to losing weight.

What you’re going to find is that the same basic principles have very similar effects on everybody.

This simply means, what has worked for someone else will work for you as well.

Plus, asking someone you trust beats having to “guess” your way through the process. This is the #1 thing that stops people. They guess. They get it wrong. And they give up.

So let’s recap what we’ve done here. The easiest way to lose weight.

First, we’ve taken your goal to lose twenty pounds in thirty days and re-focused it to just .67 pounds per day. Much less intimidating.

Then we talked about modeling. Just find someone who’s lost weight and copy what they did. Who cares if it’s exact. Just ask them what the three or four main things they did were and follow them.

Oh ya…

Almost forgot.

Make sure you have a scale so you can measure your results.

*** Need To Lose Weight Fast? ***

Here’s a simple 5 step fat loss guide that will show you how.

==> Visit http://www.naturalexplosiveweightloss.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/easiest-way-to-lose-weight-period-1771418.html

There are a range of changes your breasts go through over the course of your life. From their early development, to lactation and their change after birth.

Changes are normal, so they are nothing to worry about in most cases. Here are a few things to expect once you’ve given birth.

When you first breast-feed, your milk will be thick. At this point, it’s made up mostly of a fluid called colostrum, which is loaded with antibodies and nutrients your baby needs.

This will changes after a few days and the milk will gradually thin out and become a slightly lighter color.

The first major change in your breasts is obviously the production of this milk. However, you also have to get used to the “let-down” reflex. When your child suckles on your nipples, this triggers the release of a hormone that causes your milk to express.

Because this is related to hormones it is possible that your body will experience this response even when your child isn’t suckling - for example it may be tied to your emotions or to the cries of your child.

You may want to invest in a few pads for your nursing bras; pads can absorb leaking milk before the milk soaks your shirt.

Milk leakage can be embarrassing, but it doesn’t indicate a problem. There are a few things that can be problematic for you, though. Engorgement is one of them.

This is when your breasts produce milk faster than you express it (i.e. you produce more than your baby eats). Over-full breasts can be very sore and painful, as well as tight.

If your child is finding it difficult to empty your breasts it might be an idea to purchase a breast pump. This way you can get it done yourself, and remove this discomfort you are experiencing.

Another problem could be milk ducts that are blocked. A large painful lump can appear if your breasts aren’t fully emptied.

In order to unblock the duct, you may want to massage the area before feeding or apply a hot washcloth to the area.

Also when breast feeding it is a good idea to alter positions to make sure that all the milk is released.

Mastitis is an infection that can result from engorgement or blocked ducts. If this happens, you may experience symptoms similar to the flu. Talk to your doctor about getting antibiotics if this happens.

Thankfully, these problems aren’t serious most of the time. They may cause discomfort, but often you can relieve that. Talk to your doctor if you are worried or can’t seem to ease the pain.

Jared Wright is a stay-at-home dad with a huge passion for writing and sharing his knowledge with the online community. He is currently busy with his latest website where he shares his reviews of products such as the <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”http://www.amedabreastpumpreviews.com/ameda_purely_yours_breast_pump.htm ameda”>http://www.amedabreastpumpreviews.com/medela_breast_pump_accessories.htm”>ameda purely yours breast pump and medela breast pump accessories.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/breast-health-taking-care-of-your-breasts-after-giving-birth-1768621.html

Everyone hopes to find a way to get a good workout in but also to find ways to make it enjoyable, rather than feeling like a chore.

If this sounds like you but lately working out has felt more like a chore than anything else, it might be time to take stock of when and where (and how) you’re actually doing your routines.

Do you go to the same gym, day in and day out, same familiar surroundings, same familiar faces, and do the same familiar exercises?

Is your cardio almost always done on the same old treadmill, elliptical or stationery cycle staring at the same old tv show on the screen above the machine?  And usually without volume too, am I right?

Wow, that does sound pretty darn boring.  I’d consider that a ‘chore’ too, so you sure aren’t alone in what you’re feeling.

How about this?  Try getting your cardio outdoors wherever possible.  And don’t just change your venue, change the time of day you get out there and you might find it that much more enjoyable.

If you’re a runner, cycler or powerwalker, try getting out for your cardio session first thing in the morning and enjoy watching the sun come up as you’re getting your heart rate up too!  Forego the mp3 player for a change and listen to the music of the outdoors, like birds chirping and relish watching the sky turn from dim to bright.  That sounds like fun to me!

What about heading out just before sunset and enjoy watching the sky turn crimson as the sun sinks out of sight for another day.  What a GREAT way to end a day!  Doing a good thing for your health and fantastic scenery as you go.

If you can’t get out there with the sunrise or sunset, then try hitting your local park and run, walk or cycle on the paths, or even get your shoes off and go for a run at your local beach, in the sand (sand running is a great workout, too).

Heck, you could even do some great weights routines outdoors using just your bodyweight.

Try some supercircuits incorporating a bunch of different bodyweight moves.  You don’t even need any equipment (and just as well, because it could be a problem to carry it out there if your equipment is particularly heavy or large).

Try getting to a park and just doing a routine with burpees or squat thrusts, mountain climbers and breakdancers, jumping jacks, bodyweight squats, walking lunges (go backwards and forwards), push-ups or bench dips on a park bench, pull-ups on the playground monkey bars and jumps up onto a park bench.

Or take a jump rope with you and just jump for an extended period of time.  That will get your heart rate up and your blood pumping in no time.

You could even go climb a tree if you felt particularly youthful and full of whimsy that day (and can find a suitable tree).

So, don’t get trapped in a web of boredom by working out at the same time, in the same place, on the same equipment, doing the same moves all the time.  Change your surroundings or change the time of day and you’ll be interested and energized all over again!

And whatever you do, have a great time with it.

If you need more great ideas about how to change things up check out my Truth About Abs Review.

Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Weight Trainer and Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname. Jackie stays in great shape by working out primarily in and around her home in the city and blogs about her challenges and successes with her fitness routines. She also manages an Online Fitness Coaching program and provides inspiration and tips for anyone else interested in getting in shape or working out.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/inspire-your-workout-1763567.html

My women’s softball team won a decisive victory over the Valle de Oro Valley Girls yesterday. Woo Hoo! In the five years that we have played this team I think we only beat them one time.

After the game we share soft drinks and socialize with the other team. I talked to one of the players and remarked on her speed running the bases. Now mind you, this is a woman who is probably at least 60 years old. We shared tips on how to improve our skills and stay healthy.

This is particularly important to me as I was playing with an aching hamstring. Of course the most important advice to prevent this painful malady (a pulled muscle) is to stretch. I don’t like to stretch. I’ve always enjoyed sports, but I have never been able to touch my toes without bending my knees. Describing my body as inflexible is a gross understatement. I go through the motions of this important warm up (our team always stretches before our games as well as our practices) but I don’t like it. Never have. But now I will put more effort into the process. There’s nothing like a little painful reality to change a habit.

I can’t help but think how stretching before a game, or any time, is a good analogy for life. In order to be your best, you need to prepare. This goes for mental, as well as physical, exercise.

However, most of us have such busy lives that it is easy to forgo the little things that don’t seem 100% necessary for the immediate result we are trying to achieve. In my lifetime, the word “instant” became synonymous with “better.”

But is it?

We want “instant” solutions for our health problems, instant solutions from our leaders, instant weight loss and the list goes on and on. The reality is most of our problems (and that includes our country’s) did not happen over night. Solutions will not happen overnight either.

It’s like my aching hamstring. If I want the muscle to perform well, I need to stretch it. After all, I sit in front of a computer most of the day writing. The most activity it gets is when I scratch it, or take a break to eat or use the bathroom. But when I go out to play ball, I think I’m just going to get out there and run to first base like I did when I was 12 years old. Well, my body laughed at my arrogance and now I have a physical reminder that I need to prepare myself more before I go out and play.

However, stretching doesn’t always apply to physical activity. I recently asked myself, “How often do I resort to the status quo in my thinking, or in other activities in my daily life? Am I extending my reach by pursuing my dreams, expanding my network of friends, acquiring more knowledge, or developing my compassion? Or am I satisfied to go along with the status quo?”

I recently read an article on dialogue by Buddhist Philosopher, Daisaku Ikeda. He recently wrote this on the topic of dialogue in the January 15, 2010 issue of the World Tribune:

“Dialogue is not simply two people asserting their opinions, nor is it just a simple exchange of words. Through conversing, we can gain a shared insight into each other’s point of view and intent. It is also a process of creating something of new and positive value.”

In our book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within, there is a chapter that discusses the importance of dialogue. For many of us, dialogue is a bit of a stretch from how we usually communicate. However, communicating in our old patterns will not bring us the fresh results that most of us want in our relationships and interactions with others.

So think about stretching, both physically, emotionally and when communicating. It will take some time to develop new habits and methods, but happier results are sure to follow. Or, you can ignore my advice and follow my bad example of running around and pulling a muscle. Whether it’s sports or life, why not try a little stretching? You may surprise yourself with what you gain. And all you have to lose is the misery of having (or being) a pain in the backside.

Sally Marks is the president of Marks Public Relations and the co-author of the self-help book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within. Check out her blog at www.erasenegativity.blogspot.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/stretching-muscles-and-stretching-minds-creates-happier-results-1762417.html

The ability to gain confidence is something we all worry about. That is because we know the problems inherent with lacking self-confidence. Look at it this way, would you prefer to be around someone that lacks confidence or someone that is known for possessing a great deal of self confidence? It pretty much goes without saying that a person with strong self-confidence is the individual that you will want to be around. After all, such a person is an asset in many ways. Would you not want to be such a person yourself or would you merely want to hang around people that possess such traits? More than likely, you want to be someone that is confident. Of course, this raises questions regarding how to build confidence. Here is a look at some of the means in which this can be procured:

The ability to gain confidence will be rooted in how you perceive yourself. You do not want to entertain or deal with mental processes that can undermine the benefits that can be procured from positive thoughts. Slow down the emergence of such negative thought patterns and you will see the potential to gain confidence is significantly improved. So, stay on positive thought patterns all the time and you will see an improvement in confidence.

One way to defeat the negative thought patterns that bring down one’s image of oneself is to look towards positive thought patterns and mental images. This is, essentially, a means of turning the negative issue of improper thought patterns on its head. Pushing out the negative thoughts that impede the mind and replacing them with positive ones will promote the potential to gain confidence. And this is most definitely what most people will find positively impact and helpful towards their ability to prevent the negative issues of weak self-confidence.

Yet, there will still be those individuals find it complex to halt such images in their mind. Honestly, the process is not so much complex as it is ingrained into one’s mental state. That is, when you have to deal with perpetual negative thought patterns, it becomes extremely difficult to reverse such thoughts PROVIDED you do not do what is needed to minimize their impact. Reversing such impact can be obtained as long as you tap into the power of the subconscious mind. It is the power of the subconscious mind that will create negative thoughts. Conversely, it will be the power of the subconscious mind that will open the door to reprogramming such images to make them far more positively impact.

Taking a series of small steps to improve a person’s ability to gain confidence will ultimately make the process much more likely to succeed in a positive manner. Far too often, people will try to take steps that are simply too unrealistic. They want to see results overnight and this is never a means of succeeding at the process to gain confidence. Rather than put yourself through such an invariably disappointing process, taking several small steps at “rewiring” your outlook on life will be a much better plan.

So, yes, it is definitely possible to gain confidence easily, naturally, and effectively. You just need the right method and one that will deliver the much-needed results that you so desperately seek.

T S Gill is a researcher. His main focus is to help people to gain their self confidence naturally. For more information and guidence please visit: http://www.gainyourconfidence.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/gain-confidence-naturally-and-effectively-1758288.html

Being diagnosed with a chronic disease such as ulcerative colitis can seem devastating yet life need not appear to come to an abrupt halt, having it reduced to one of mere existence. It is possible to continue to live as full a life as possible whilst living with colitis through taking control of the disease. It?s a choice of surrender to the disease or a normal life with temporary bouts of a controllable illness. Which one will you choose?

There will be periods of time when colitis is in remission and life can be as close to normal as possible whilst there will be periods when a relapse occurs and, depending on the ferocity of the symptoms, normal life can effectively stop. There are a number of people diagnosed with symptoms that are ever present or as near to such a predicament, though often the strength of such symptoms is less severe. It can be a challenge to then undertake and fit into your life what will become permanent features such as taking medication on a daily basis, reordering medication, visiting the doctor and hospital consultant and undergoing periodic tests. Yet this does not imply that it should take over control of your life.

During periods of remission, it can be possible not to have any symptoms and daily activities and interests can be undertaken and enjoyed without being impaired. But that is not to say that you should blindly ignore the fact that you do have colitis. It just means that an awareness of the potential for symptoms to appear should be maintained and that a certain activity that could increase the chance of symptoms appearing should be either avoided or undertaken with caution. This will include both physical activity and mental stress that can build over a period of time plus also the role of diet.

Whenever the feeling of an onset of symptoms happens, it is important to recognise that there is potential for real danger to occur in the form of a full relapse. Often though, it can just be a little murmur when some evidence of blood is found or some abdominal discomfort is felt. If it is possible to pinpoint the cause, then this should be stopped immediately if at all possible and a suitable period of rest undertaken. This does not mean that life is put on hold but it also does not suggest that daily activities can carry on regardless. Some down time, ranging from a few hours or a day or two will assist greatly in terms of resting and reducing the opportunity of that little murmur from developing into a painful and debilitating relapse. And this could well be the time to consider taking additional medicine on top of what is already precribed.

When a relapse occurs, daily activities do have to take a back seat and it is essential that rest is taken along with a complete change in diet. To think that you can carry on daily life whilst a colitis relapse is in full strength is wrong. But managed correctly, the time period for the relapse can be reduced and daily activities can be slowly reintroduced. As can be deduced, there is a factor of personal responsibility required to manage colitis on a daily basis when in remission or during a relapse and this is in addition to the advice and assistance offered by your doctor or hospital consultant. Plus also, by taking the knowledge and experience of other sufferers you will be better equipped to reduce the impact that colitis symptoms have on your daily life. Discovering and using such a goldmine of practical knowledge can make living with colitis that much easier to bear.

It is possible to manage your symptoms better to reduce the impact of living with colitis. Here is your treasure vault of practical colitis answers to reduce their impact on your life. Don’t waste any more time searching. Manage your colitis symptoms better and regain control of your life that only a survivor can offer. What doctor can give that knowledge? Available now at http://www.thecolitisexperience.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/living-with-colitis-and-living-your-life-1754706.html

One on my favorite stress management exercises is to ask my counseling and anger management clients to imagine themselves getting up from a really good nights sleep, and to note how refreshed they feel as they pull the covers off, and move their body toward the next right thing to do.

We go through finding a number of descriptive words to describe how they are feeling and the hormonal bath they have going on, and the words that come up are refreshed, relaxed, comfortable, ect.

Then I ask them to imagine themselves as the pivot their body out from under the covers but before their feet touch the floor while still refreshed, to imagine having a large unpaid bill to deal with, and I ask them to again tell me what they feel, as they switch the thought from relaxing, refreshing sleep, to unpaid bill.

Most of those same clients report that the feeling switches to anxiety immediately, and they can go from relaxed to stressed out anxiety at the speed of a thought.

Then I ask them to imagine back to just waking up refreshed, and I ask them what happened to the stress feeling related to the unpaid bill and to a person, clients report that the stress is gone or greatly reduced.

That simple exercise illustrates two key components of stress management exercises, the speed at which my body works to prepare itself for a problem solving effort, or an actual emergency, and how thoughts impact physiology.

Paul Ekman,Ph.D. in his work on cataloging facial expressions reports that across cultures humans respond to a look of contempt with a powerful hormonal stew featuring hormones like adrenalin and cortisol in 1/25th second, which is about 2 and 1/2 times faster than I can blink my eyes, and that is without an interpretive thought.

So my stress management exercises must teach me to monitor the inside of my body frequently, so my powerful hormonal stews do not drive a behavior before I make a decision.

I like to call that process ‘awareness gives me choice’.

The next part of the stress management exercise that I mentioned above is to recognize the impact of thoughts on feelings.

My thought as I wake up is about how refreshed I am and the feeling state following that thought is quite comfortable, which changes to a quite uncomfortable feeling state when I switch my thought to the unpaid bill.

So to change my feeling back to a comfortable feeling means changing the thought, changing my breathing, or utilizing a technology like Heartmath, which is a biofeedback tool which teaches me to manage the time between heart beats.

Stress management tools, up until the discovery of the heart’s own nervous system, have always been about breathing and mindfulness, and they are effective, just not as effective as fast as Heartmath, or heart rate variability biofeedback.

I discovered heart rate variability biofeedback in an EEB Biofeedback listserve about 11 years ago, and determined to learn more about it. (EEG biofeedback works at a speed of HZ or cycles per second. If Heartmath could come close to that speed, what a powerful tool to have available).

I bought it and learned it in about 3 hours, or six 1/2 hour sessions. I have used it with clients since and have had only one client take more than 10 sessions to learn it.

Heart rate variability biofeedback actually combines the thinking and breathing technologies with computerized feedback, which allows you to manage the time between heart beats within a heart beat.

The new field of neurocardiology has determined that the heart has a brain of its own which learns and makes decisions independently of any other brain I have, and I can invoke that coherence on any given heart beat should I so chose.

With a tool like heart rate variability biofeedback, stress management exercises become proactive rather than reactive.

In other words, I can practice the easily learned heart rate variability biofeedback process anytime I want, perhaps every five minutes, for two whole heartbeats, to cue a very pleasant feeling good physiology which has some real impact on my brain, opening up the higher perceptual centers for high level brainstorming.

I think this physiology is akin to what Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi wrote about in his book called FLOW in 1993.

His book said to me that if we can determine the components of flow, then we can duplicate it on demand, and life flows.

Well, heart rate variability biofeedback gives me a quick and powerful tool to use on any given heart beat to relax my body and open my brain.

(It does not pay any bills, just changes my physiology.)

So now my stress management exercises involve regular thinking and breathing practices, which take as little time as two heart beats (I can feel it!)to change my inner physiology to coherence, and my body gets used to that, and does not tolerate unnecessary stress for long before reminding me to cue my coherence.

I am literally managing my happiness/stress/distress/eustress/eustasis very frequently in short bursts, which takes into account the human orienting response.

Since the discovery of the heart’s own brain, the entire neuroscientific community has had its dogma overturned by the discovery of two capacities of the human brain, called neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.

Both capacities can be enhanced by attending to what are generally being called the ‘pillars of brain fitness’, or physical exercise, nutrition, including lots of omega 3 fatty acid, sleep, stress management, and novel learning experiences.

Neurogenesis is the term used to describe the growth of new neurons every day. However those new neurons do not survive prolonged exposure to stress hormones, which gives added importance to using stress management exercises to maximize the growth of new neurons, which migrate to the memory centers of your brain, making neurogenesis something I want to enhance.

The authors of Brainfit for Life describe this process in great detail.

So my stress management exercises and brain fitness combine with my personal and professional life very easily. Isn’t that having your cake and eating it too?

Michael S. Logan is a brain fitness expert, a counselor, a student of Chi Gong, and licensed one on one HeartMath provider. I enjoy the spiritual, the mythological, and psychological, and I am a late life father to Shane, 10, and Hannah Marie, 4, whose brains are so amazing. http://www.askmikethecounselor2.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/stress-management-exercises-1750238.html

Looking for a gym? Whether it is Muay Thai, kickboxing, or cardio classes here are some tips on picking a gym.

- You need to know what your budget is. How much can you spend on a gym membership or classes. Some gyms charge around $20.00 a month and others charge upwards of over $150.00 a month. Keep in mind the times of the classes and when you will be working out.

- Decide what you are looking for. Are you after a cardio workout? Muay Thai and technique? You have to know what you are looking for.

- Do your research. Visit all the gyms online. Check them out. Read any reviews about the gym. Go see the gym. There were times I thought a gym looked cool online but as soon as I physically saw it I knew I wasn’t going there. You can learn a lot by actually going to a gym. Are there showers? Is there parking? Do they have lockers? Ask lots of questions.

- Take advantage of the free or first workout. Some gyms offer a free workout or charge a small fee for a trial workout. Do It! There is no better way to really get a feel for a gym and instructors than by taking a trial class. However, be prepared for the sales pitch after the class. But don’t be scared. This is one of the best ways to try out a gym before you commit.

- When it is time to commit be prepared to stick within your budget. Most gyms give discounted membership dues for a longer contract. Make sure and find out what the costs are if you did have to cancel early. Things happen in life. Be prepared.

- If after all your search you may find that nothing interested you. You can get an awesome workout in the privacy of your own home. You can incorporate kickboxing, Muay Thai, and heavy bag routines for a great in home workout. There are some great DVD’s and equipment to help you out.

Maybe you just want to break up the regular old routine with a Muay Thai/kickboxing workout once or twice a week. There are some great gyms out there. Decide what you want and do your research. You will enjoy the benefits and reap the rewards of your efforts.

I am Matt Sunan and I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am a Muay Thai-kickboxing enthusiast. For more free information, equipment reviews, and other workout ideas check out www.lasvegasmuaythai.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/tips-on-choosing-a-gym-1743771.html

Six pack abs workout routines vary in terms of intensity and style. Usually, mens exercise programs are more intense than those of women for the simple reason that they have usually bigger built and higher level of strength.

For men who want to have enviable abdomen, choosing the right six pack abs workout routines is important. The exercise program should be something they are comfortable with and should fit in with their lifestyle.

Below, we highlight some of the routines that men can choose from to get toned, sexy abs.

1. Crunches. Lie flat with your feet a few inches above the floor, with your knees slightly bent. Lift your shoulders, with the tension concentrated on your stomach. Your lower back should remain flat on the floor. Inhale as you lift your shoulders toward your knees and exhale when you return to your starting position, which is shoulder on the floor but head and feet a few inches off the ground.

2. Sit ups. Lie flat with your knees up and your feet flat on the floor. You can put your hands behind your head or have them crossed on your chest. Lift your upper body towards your knees as far as you can go. Breathe out while you do this and breathe in when you return to supine position.

3. Leg lifts. There are various styles of doing this. For those just starting their exercise routines, the ideal style is lying on the floor with the legs straight and arms at the side. Lift your legs as far as you can or until it reaches the angle of 90 degrees. Lower your legs back to starting position and repeat several times.

4. Twist. This works best in exercising your oblique muscles and getting rid of love handles. Stand straight with your legs apart and your elbows forming a 90-degree angle. Turn your upper body to the side without moving your feet then return to facing up front. Repeat the routine for the other side of your body.

5. Bicycling. Lie flat on the floor with your hands behind your head. Lift you left knee towards your chest then slowly straighten it out. As you straighten out your left knee, turn your upper body towards the opposite direction (the right), with your left elbow moving towards the right knee as if attempting to meet it at the mid-section of your body. Don’t try that far though, just up to the point where you feel the contraction of your stomach muscles.

Mens six pack abs workout routines should be executed correctly and should be done regularly. Proper breathing and pushing only as far as you can go without risking injury should also be kept in mind.

Not ONLY do you NEED to work out, you also need to make sure you are eating correctly to get SUPER FLAT abdominals. DISCOVER how to Diet For Six Pack Abs by visiting => http://www.BurnFatReports.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/mens-six-pack-abs-workout-routines-a-guide-to-achieving-a-flat-sexy-stomach-1742831.html

A breast reduction, in contrast to a breast lift procedure, is typically performed for relief of physical or medical problems that are caused by the weight of one’s excessively large breasts. Back and neck pain, breathing problems, and skin rashes are some of the medical conditions that are frequently associated with large breasts. Many women who need this plastic surgery procedure feel an extreme sense of self consciousness secondary to the large size of their breasts. Breast reduction, technically called a reduction mammoplasty, is created to alleviate all of these problems. The surgery involves the removal of breast tissues, fat, and skin from the breasts thereby creating a firmer, lighter, and smaller structure. Also, if the size of the woman’s areola is excessive as well, this may be corrected at the time of the surgery.

Depending on the size of a woman’s breasts, the desired post-operative size and the technique used, a reduction mammoplasty surgery may take anywhere from two to five hours. Breast reduction is performed in office-based ambulatory facilities or in a hospital setting. There are some insurance companies that require a minimum volume of tissue to be removed to cover the surgery. This should be pre-determined by your plastic surgeon and a letter of pre-determination sent to your insurance carrier along with photographs of your condition to demonstrate the necessity for breast reduction. There are various techniques available to alleviate the problem which will likely be discussed with you when you meet your plastic surgeon. The most often performed technique involves an inverted T-shaped incision similar to the most common incision used in a mastopexy. There are several new techniques that are available, but most of these techniques don’t apply to many patients.

If your breasts are pendulous and excessively large it may require removal of the nipple areola complex and replacement of these structures as free grafts. Your plastic surgeon will let you know if this is the best technique for your situation and should apprise you of the benefits and risks of this specific technique. In the majority of situations however, the nipple areola complex is left attached to the blood supply and underlying skin. Your plastic surgeon should also explain the possible changes in sensation to the nipple areola complex that can occur with reduction mammoplasty. Liposuction can be added to the surgery for removal of fat primarily at the outer portions of the breast.

After the surgery has been performed, you may have surgical drains which will typically remain in place for around 24 hours. The use of these drains is a matter of your plastic surgeon’s preferences and what he or she has found throughout the procedure. Your breasts will likely be bandaged in an elastic wrap or in a surgical bra. These dressings are usually changed a few days after the procedure and when the stitches are ready to begin being removed. This will take place roughly one week after the procedure.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com offers information on cosmetic surgery in New York City and plastic surgery procedures like new york city breast reduction, breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, and breast implants.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/breast-reduction-procedures-are-usually-performed-for-relief-of-medical-or-physical-pain-1737079.html

Football fields can be found almost everywhere in Thailand making of football one of the most loved sport in the Kingdom. Thais mostly begin their training or friendly game after work in the evening when it is less hot. A few local events are organized beside the well-known International Football 7s held in Bangkok and Phuket.

The tournament in Phuket is the most popular as the island is the perfect place for a sport holiday combining sport and leisure. Seven aside football can be played in a week-end, with the opportunity between games to enjoy a swim in the sea, and at night, parties in selected entertainment areas to take pleasure in the most lively night life of the kingdom.

Bangkok is also a good place to participate in a tournament as there are many grass pitches of excellent quality. During the tournament, each participant will have not only a taste of this busy metropolis, but also enjoy the night in the many entertainment places. The absence of the beach make it the second most preferred football destination in South East Asia.

These two tournaments have no price money to be won but teams earn a trophy for each level and category: Masters Cup, Masters Plate, Masters Bowl, Open Cup, Open Plate and Open Bowl. All 10 players in every teams also get a medallion they can proudly bring back home.

Teams are mainly composed of foreigners from many different countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong-Kong and Thailand in South East Asia, but also from Australia, France or the United Kingdom. South East Asian teams are formed of mostly expatriates with a couple of locals as there are no purely local teams participating to these international events.

Contrary to the local football tournaments held on the dirt football field in Patong, the International Phuket Football 7s is held on top quality grass pitches where players can enjoy playing football safely. The playing venue, is changed every year and in the event an injury occurs, an ambulance is in standby with a doctor and nurses from an International class hospital of the province.

Bangkok has lots of grass fields and also many Thai clubs and expat leagues. In addition to well-maintained grass pitches from private sport facilities, football can be played in the few International schools, which have top quality fields. The International Bangkok Football 7s is usually held either in the Pattana International school, or the Arrow International school depending on the availability of the venue.

Another International football 7s took place in Pattaya a few years ago but it seems that despite the seaside and the nightlife, the city only makes it to the third position. Pattaya is conveniently situated at 2 hours from Bangkok by car and is a location that should get more expression of interest by foreign teams.

As a conclusion, Phuket, Thailand’s famous traveler destination, is the football 7s favorite location in South East Asia with three tournaments taking place every year, before Bangkok, which is the second with one tournament.

Michel Gerard is a Travel author located in Asia. Visit the Phuket Football 7s website to read more information on these International Football 7s tournaments in Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand. => http://www.thai7s.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/football-7s-have-proved-very-popular-in-thailand-1734821.html

Hi as you begin to read this as a fellow Personal Trainer on Facebook I am guessing you already have a group or a Fan Page to promote your business?? If not you may be missing out on dozens even 100s of leads and potential clients.

If you are like me when I first got on Facebook I was like…ummm…where do I start?

How do I use it to promote my business and communicate with my clients more effectively?

It appears the 2 most popular ways are by having a group or a fan page.

So which one is better and which one should you have?

The answer is both, I will explain why:

Firstly lets look at some of the pros and cons

Group:

Pros
Displays detailed information about your business and services on the primary page
Easily accessible and when updates are made to the group it shows
The ability to rapidly grow the group in numbers and people or more likely to join who haven’t seen the group before because there is plenty of info already on the front page

Cons
Can be quite intrusive through sending messages to members when how often do the members read the entire message anyway.
Not very interactive
People seem to leave the group due to receiving promo messages rather than useful info
Cannot communicate via peoples walls
Can only invite a person once to the group

Fan Page:

Pros
Very interactive
non-intrusive
more opportunity to create conversation
Less likely to have members leave due to less intusive-ness
Gives reports and stats of visitors in the form of graphs and charts for male/female ages etc… and a rating
when you post a status update all members see it on their wall

Cons
Less info on the primary page causing many people to not join when invited
not as visible to non-members

These are just the tip of the iceberg…

There are dozens of books perhaps even 100s on how to use Facebook and the majority of specialists recommend the following:

Start with a basic group with info about you and your services use a few testimonials, photos an article (keep it simple) and use it to rapidly grow a database without sending too many messages once you hit a target eg 1000 then start a Fan Page to begin daily communication with your members including a lot more info with video testimonials, video profile of yourself, articles, make comments about your clients on the wall and group photos of all your clients tagging them.

I have used this strategy myself and had clients and other companies use it very effectively, give it a go and you may be surprised at the great results you get.

Kind Regards

Jason Grossman.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=153668853824&topic=11523#/group.php?gid=153668853824

Jason Grossman is a highly qualified and recognized professional in the Health & Fitness industry having operated a successful Personal Training business for almost a decade and delivered over 25,000 one on one and group consultations. Jason is a professional Motivational Public Speaker giving presentations on everything from Personal Development, Health & Fitness, NLP, Business, Marketing, Management and Sales. Jason is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Semantics and International Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, learning from two of the most internationally recognized NLP Masters in the world today. Currently he is the Perth Campus Director and National Events Coordinator for The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers educating a new breed of Personal Trainers in Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness and organizing Personal Training events across the country. Jason is also the creator and owner of the fantastic unique new 7 step program “Your PT Coach” personally coaching Personal Trainers Australia wide to earn a six figure income and exponentially build their business.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/should-i-have-a-facebook-group-or-fan-page-for-my-personal-training-business-1730947.html

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Can you believe someone who is neither a trainer nor a nutrition expert can come up with a fat loss program what has achived great success? To your wildest imagination, the very truth about Rob Poulos, who has fought against his overweight since his childhood. Now he has succeeded in it and so did his wife. His new program is called Fat Buring Furnace, which is one of the most popular fat losing programs at present, and his book is a bestseller and has many good reviews.

Fat Burning Furnace is totally different from any other ones for it is based on raising your RMR(Resting Metabolic Rate), which is a total new concept for most of us. The program aims at finding a way of increasing the number of calories that your body is breaking down without any outside interference or action. Namely, when you are at rest, your fat is burning off effortlessly. The program also involves some exercise—but not as much as you may expect. 20 minutes workout eachday and 2-3 days a week sounds simply too easy for us, but it does work.Nutrition is also a key ingredient of this program. When you are on a diet, you may find it difficult to lose a few pounds of weight without balanced diet. Because if you do not take in enough nutients, you will eat more junk food and gain more weight. Therefore, meals with adequate nutrients are indespensible for any weight-fighters.

Now, you don’t have to take pills nor go to the gym. Now you can simply eat your most delicious foods and workout regularly and your fat is buring away. Follow And you will see dramatic results ranging for a few pounds off to a healty and harmonious life. And you will prove that it’s not a scam at all. Free Trial Click here

Fat Burning Furnace Ebook

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/fbf-ebook-1725929.html

Every year at Christmastime, thousands of Australians send gift baskets to friends, relatives and co-workers. Increasingly, though, those same people are sending out gift hampers for a huge number of different occasions. Unlike in the past, hampers have become popular beyond the confines of the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday - or Just Because!

If you’ve ever given someone a gift basket before, there’s a very good chance that it was for Christmas. Back a few years ago, hampers were largely perceived as Christmas gift items and were often used as such. The initial popularity of gift hampers is definitely attributable to the holiday season; right off the bat, baskets full of chocolates and other treats were popularly handed out at Christmastime. Over time, though, many different varieties have been developed and gift baskets are suitable for any occasion now. Without a doubt, gift baskets have transformed from Christmas gifts to gifts for any occasion - and their popularity just keeps growing.

A Wider Assortment Means Greater Usefulness -

Without question, the fact that gift baskets used to boast chocolates and other delicious treats - and little else - was largely why they were reserved for the holiday season. Nowadays, though, gift baskets come in a stunning array of themes and configurations. While chocolates and other delicacies continue to be quite popular, gift hampers today can be stuffed full of anything from golf novelty items to specialty teas. Creativity reigns supreme when it comes to gift basket design, which is a huge part of the reason why people are handing them out all year long these days.

Baskets For Every Occasion -

In addition to a wide array of delightful, customised choices, there are gift hampers today that are geared for just about every imaginable occasion. While Christmas hampers remain a hot commodity, birthday hampers, hampers for men and hampers for women are all hot sellers. There are baskets designed with expectant mums in mind, and options that boast a bevy of goods for newborn bubs as well. There’s no reason not to give a hamper as a going away present, a welcome back present - or “just because.” No matter where the recipient’s tastes lie, hampers are unquestionably one of the most versatile and thoughtful gifts that you can give throughout the entire year.

If you’re like many people, then you’ve probably given out Christmas hampers at least once in your life. Unlike in the past, though, gift baskets from Hamper Me are emerging as popular and excellent gift options for a vast range of different occasions. In fact, many people enjoy giving gift baskets “just because”.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/the-exploding-popularity-of-gift-baskets-1723552.html

To successfully find a cold sore treatment that will stop these annoying and painful sores reappearing, we first need to identify what triggers an attack. There are many triggers which come from your environment and lifestyle which could easily be eliminated if you only knew they were causing the outbreak. Sometimes, something as simple as going through a difficult time in your life could be a trigger. This is because too much stress can be a huge trigger for many sufferers. When you feel emotionally or mentally overwhelmed, it is important to understand that your body is overwhelmed as well and it could therefore leave you vulnerable to an attack.

Lack of sleep or exposing yourself to the sun’s rays or cold weather could also be a trigger in your life. The good thing about any environment triggers you identify is you can take action to prevent those outbreaks in the future.

Internal Triggers

There are also some cold sore triggers which occur as a result of something happening inside your body, such as hormone fluctuations. This unfortunately can be more difficult to work out, with the true cause of their outbreaks not being realised by many sufferers. If you don’t identify these internal triggers it is very hard to prevent them from leading to future outbreaks.

The good news is there are all natural programs which teach you how to address any internal triggers so you disarm them from future attacks on your body. A lot of this comes down to discovering the deficiencies within your body which leave you open to outbreaks.

This goes beyond the typical cold sore treatments which advise you just to smear on some expensive cream every time a sore appears. Although you are probably easing the discomfort these sores cause, you are not preventing future outbreaks. When you realize you are fighting against real internal triggers, you will understand that internal changes are necessary if you will ever be successful at completely preventing them.

There are many more triggers not listed here and it is important for you to learn about them all and keep them in mind. It may take more ongoing work by you to prevent them from developing in the first place due to you learning what are your triggers and how to overcome them, but surely by doing that and completely eliminating the occurrence of cold sores on your face, that little extra work is more than worth it.

If you want to learn more about your cold sore triggers and how preventing them can be accomplished long term, explore an all natural cold sore treatment plan. You will learn not only about your triggers and how to disarm them, but a variety of other proven strategies to get rid of them forever.

If you are a sufferer or you know of one that needs to treat cold sores quickly, I would suggest that you have a look at the great testimonials from real people that have tried a breakthrough remedy that works. For further information visit http://treatcoldsores.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/treat-cold-sores-what-are-the-triggers-1716004.html

You may be a good candidate for a liposuction procedure if you have excess subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to exercise and diet. Liposuction may also be something you desire if you would like to change the contours of your body. The most common areas on the body that liposuction is performed on are the armpits and upper arms, male breast/chest, the anterior part of the neck, thighs, waist, hips, ankles, calves, and trunk. Most patients who receive liposuction are near normal weight and desire a permanent change in their contour.

With improved techniques, lipoplasty now allows for larger amounts of fat removal. Liposculpture is capable of being very useful to heavier people as well. Liposuction is intended to produce an improvement that is permanent in the contour and the proportion of the treated areas. A more flattering physique or figure, in or out of clothing, is another goal of liposculpture.

The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure. Usually, general anesthesia will be used to provide comfort and safety. Small tubes will be inserted through very short incisions that are placed in inconspicuous areas near the fat deposits. Excess fat will then be removed. If there is a large amount of fat to be removed, your plastic surgeon will likely ask you to donate one or two units of your blood and to take supplemental iron before the procedure. Your own blood will then be used as a transfusion at the end of the procedure.

The use of UAL by plastic surgeons allows for a safer removal of larger amounts of fat than that of a standard liposuction procedure. The increase in safety is due to the smaller amount of blood removed with UAL. This means that UAL surgery can be very useful to someone who is moderately overweight even though it is not a weight loss procedure. Ultrasound assisted liposuction was created to improve the proportions and contour of the treated areas, resulting in a more flattering figure or physique.

UAL is also performed on an outpatient basis. Again, general anesthesia will be administered and little tubes will be placed through tiny incisions. Much like standard lipoplasty, your cosmetic surgeon may ask for you to donate blood when larger amounts of fat are being removed. The frequency of this requirement is decreased by using UAL.

The patient will go home with a compression garment that covers the treated areas. Compression of the treated areas is recommended for about a month since it will help reduce swelling after the procedure. Once the soreness and pain decrease, it’s frequently more comfortable to wear lycra or spandex exercise pants. Initial discomfort will be easily controlled through the use of oral medication. Swelling and bruising will typically subside in two to four weeks with final results taking shape over two to three months.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Beverly Hills , California and cosmetic surgery procedures including beverly hills liposuction , tummy tuck, facelift, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/commonly-involved-areas-of-liposuction-include-thighs-trunk-abdomen-waist-and-upper-arms-1711784.html

Getting plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery is a big and potentially life-changing decision. It should not be taken lightly. It is a personal decision that should be made with thoughtfulness and care. Its also elective and you dont have to have it so take your time. Choosing the right plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon is perhaps the most important part of the process. Chicago plastic surgeons are highly qualified and eager to serve you, ensuring that you get the precise results that you’re looking for. They can help you achieve what you want.

The first step is to gather information on all of the plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons available in Chicago Illinois via the web, friend referrals, any means possible. Spend time researching various plastic and cosmetic surgeons perusing backgrounds, credentials, experience and more. Your appearance is important to you and how you relate to the world so you’ll want to find someone you can trust. Check to see if the plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has at least five years of surgical training and experience. Medical training and surgical experience are the primary indicators of a surgeon’s qualifications; the more experience, the better. Any licensed physician can technically claim to be a plastic surgeon, thus the importance of board certification - take thought into this. Also check into what school he or she attended and where he or she performed his or her residency training. Plastic surgeons in Chicago only operate in accredited medical facilities, so you can trust that you will receive only the highest quality of treatment and service. Remember this is elective - you don’t have to have surgery - so make an educated decision on deciding what’s right for you.

The next step is to visit several plastic surgeons Chicago. Many offices will set up a free initial consultation especially with a down economy. This is the time to trust your gut instinct. Ask a lot of questions and request to see photos of the surgeon’s previous work. Before and after photos are a good indicator of how well they can do the job. After each consultation, write down your thoughts and feelings so that you can keep track of the various surgeons that you have visited. Take good notes. This will help you to get an overall feel of the professionalism and demeanor of each plastic surgeon that you are considering. Review the office, the office staff and your surroundings.

Dont be pushed into making a decision. Take time to think over your options and share your thoughts and feelings with your friends and family members. They can help you as well. If you sense that one of the plastic surgeons that you meet doesn’t match with your personality or you feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to remove that person from your list. Choose a plastic surgeon that is confident and willing to answer your questions and takes the time to talk with you. Your personal relationship between you and your plastic surgeon must be built on both trust and professionalism.

Chicago plastic surgeons practice with the highest standards of quality and excellence. They will go the extra mile to make sure that you’re both comfortable and satisfied. Chicago is the right city to begin your search.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty and more. He offers a directory of plastic surgeons across the US, with before and after photos, credentials and more.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-plastic-surgeon-1707767.html

You would think that if a man shaves regularly, he wouldn’t worry about patches in his beard. Actually that is not the case, particularly with dark haired men. What has been termed 5 O Clock Shadow, shows these patches very clearly as the day goes on. The other problem is that the patch may lead to a much larger area of hair loss that can extend beyond the beard into the brows or scalp too.
Currently there is no way of knowing if the patch will stay dormant or spread. So just because it is not visible first thing in the morning, rest assured it has not been forgotten !
You are right to be concerned, because even though your beard patch is still small, the underlying problem is an auto-immune disease.

Beard Patches - Alopecia Barbae

Alopecia Barbae is the medical name for patches in the beard. It is not typically stress induced, not directly at least, but instead is actually an auto-immune disorder. When Alopecia Barbae occurs, the body begins producing antibodies that attack the hair follicles. The anti-bodies are typically isolated to one patch of hair, producing a circular patch of smooth, hair free skin that is from a nickel to quarter in size. The hairs surrounding the beard patch are typically fine, brittle and easy to pull out and the patch itself sometimes will hurt or feel like it is burning. The medical community is unsure what causes the body to begin attacking itself; however, it is commonly believed that there is a genetic weakness and environmental factors cause that weakness to be expressed in th eform of an auto-immune attack. Genetics do play an important part in this and families that suffer atopic illness see a higher percentage of this problem. Beard patches can occur almost overnight, or can show up slowly over the course of months. Initially when a patch develops you may not pay that much attension to it. As the patch gets larger, that is when the person takes notice and gets worried. The earlier that you start to treat such patches in the beard the greater chance you have of reversing the problem.

Medical Treatment of Alopecia Barbae

When a man goes to a medical doctor for treatment of Alopecia Barbae, the treatment options are limited and some are severe with low success rates, lengthy treatment plans as well as side effects from the treatments. The treatments include cosmetic use of 5% Minoxidil to help encourage hair regrowth. While this treatment can help, there is not a high percentage revresal rate in cases of alopecia barbae. Steroids are another common treatment for Alopecia Barbae. Daily topical application of a steroid cream onto the beard patch is the most common way to use steroid therapy. However, some doctors will give the patient the option of a regiment of steroid injections once every four to six weeks for up to six months to help the hair grow back. However, steroids do not always work, can cause the beard patch not to not grow back permanently and the steroid can cause the skin of the beard patch to become thin and easily damaged. Minoxidil is often used in conjunction with steroids, as it appears to enhance the action of the steroids.

Alternate Means Of Treating Alopecia Barbae

Aside from medical treatments, there are a couple natural treatments available to treat Alopecia Barbae. One of the most effective methods of helping correct patches in the beard is the Beard Recovery Ointment. In this treatment, there are plant extracts as well as nutrients that help the body correct itself and stop attacking the hair follicles. The extracts also encourage the re-growth of hair. Rather than try to supress the immune system which can bring about undesired affects. The Ointment helps the immune system get back on track and see the hair follicle as part of it’s own body again. The Beard Recovery Ointment is part of the product group of Calosol which are effective on all types of autoimmune related hair loss.

Our work started 20 years ago as a project to solve our ownbeard patches.
We not only deal with patches in the beard, but now provide a full update service dealing with all aspects Aopecia Our website lists many case histories showing their progress photograpically.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/why-men-develop-patchy-beards-1701321.html

The insertion of a chin implant into one’s chin may take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. During this surgery, the plastic surgeon will select the proper shape and size of implant to properly enhance your appearance. He or she will then proceed to insert the implant into a pocket that has been created over the front of the jawbone. The small incision that is used to create the pocket and to insert the facial implant is typically placed inside the mouth (along the lower lip) or in the skin just under a person’s chin area.

The chin will usually be taped after the procedure in order to minimize any discomfort and swelling. Sutures that were placed in the skin will be removed after five to seven days. If the cosmetic surgeon chose for you to have an intra-oral incision, the sutures will dissolve in time. While recovering from cosmetic chin surgery you will experience some mild swelling and discomfort in the affected area for several days after the procedure. It’s typically that you will experience some temporary difficulty with talking and smiling. Blue and black marks can be visible around the neck and chin in some cases. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with instructions about your dental hygiene, eating, and any other restrictions to your activities after the procedure.

Cheek implant surgery will typically take somewhere between thirty and forty-five minutes. When cheek implant surgery is being performed at the same time as another cosmetic surgery procedure, such as eyelid surgery, facelift, or forehead lift, the implants may be inserted through incisions made for those procedures. If not, an incision will likely be made inside your upper lip or lower eyelid. A pocket will then be formed and an implant will be inserted. After the surgery a dressing will be applied to your face to minimize the swelling and discomfort. The duration and severity of such side effects may vary, especially is any other cosmetic surgery procedure was performed at the same time.

When recovering from your cheek augmentation surgery, your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to properly care for yourself post-operatively. There will more than likely be dietary restrictions as well as limitations on your activities. Again, these instructions are going to be different for everyone, specifically if you had any other surgery performed along with your implant procedure. However, you should make sure that you are aware that your ability to move your lips and mouth may be temporarily diminished. Stitches that were used to close the incisions inside your mouth will typically dissolve within around ten days.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Detroit, Michigan and plastic surgery procedures including detroit chin implant, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, eyelid surgery, arm lift, liposuction.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/plastic-surgeons-use-cheek-and-chin-implants-to-bring-a-greater-balance-in-ones-face-1698148.html

Most Tai Chi practiced in America is very weak, not at all like the art that was created 350 years ago by the Chen family in China. Recently, I read an Internet article listing 10 concepts you need to know to practice Tai Chi, but the teacher writing the article is teaching a weak version of the art.

The advice that most Tai Chi students receive from their teachers in America is wrong, but unfortunately, the students think it must be right and they’re learning high-quality Tai Chi. The teachers believe it, too. They do this because their teacher taught them a weak version of this art. The result — you meet their students and see quickly that they have no concept of body mechanics.

Here–briefly–is his list of top ten important things to focus on:

Concept 1: Tai Chi is done with an emphasis on every movement. Every movement must be connected to the next.

Concept 2: Maintain your shoulders dropped so that any tension will be eliminated.

Concept 3: Your wrists should be straight in order to maintain strength and a good flow of energy.

Concept 4: Learning to move ever more slowly is one path to increased cultivation.

Concept 5: Never let any hindrances stop you from being connected. In case you get disconnected, keep up with the motions.

Concept 6: In practicing Tai Chi, your knees must always be bent. Also you need to maintain your balance for your height not to bob up and down.

Concept 7: Power of Tai Chi will start from the feet going up to the legs, controlling the shoulders and will be expressed by the fingers and hands.

Concept 8: Your head must be maintained as if it was suspended on air.

Concept 9: Your chest must be depressed and your back should be raised but this must be done effortlessly.

Concept 10: Keep your breath to your body’s center of gravity, the dan tien; again this must be done effortlessly.

My Response to these Concepts

Most of these concepts are things that you need to know and do — but they are FAR from the top ten concepts you need. These are–in my opinion–things to think of after you begin focusing on the top concepts that you need to know.

Concepts 1 and 10 I can buy into. You must be connected through the body. As you progress, you should focus on the breathing with the dan t’ien, but that is NOT done effortlessly at first. It takes practice and focus.

Concepts 2 and three are just silly. Yes, you should relax your shoulders and “drop” them, and usually you try to keep the wrists straight. Focusing on the shoulders misses the mark. Students should be told to drop and sink their weight and relax everything, including the shoulders. At the same time, they must maintain ground and peng (see below).

Concept 4 is just wrong. Learning to move ever more slowly is the key? Actually, you learn to move properly in slow motion, you move faster and faster, learning fa-jing and how to apply the movements in self-defense. The more advanced you get, the more you are able to do the forms properly at both slow and combat speeds. Tai Chi is a martial art, first and foremost.

Concept 5 is a distraction. Don’t get distracted? Well of course. That also applies to reading a book.

Concept 6 is about bending the knees. This is another way to say relax and sink your weight.

He almost nails Concept 7. Power does start in the ground, travels through the legs — but he ignores the key concept that it is guided by the dan t’ien and then is expressed through the hands (or whatever part of the body is striking). Inserting the shoulders here is goofy. The power has to go through the shoulders but they are conduits for internal strength and should be kept out of play as much as possible except in certain circumstances involving kou energy.

Concepts 8 and 9 are pieces of advice told to all Tai Chi students. Yes, you keep your head up and balanced. The chest is slightly hollowed and the back slightly rounded but this is part of the whole body connection.

The Real Concepts You Must Focus on in Tai Chi

1. Establish and Maintain the Ground Path: All strength and power originates in the ground. You must maintain the ground connection throughout every movement, even the movements that some people call “transitions” (there are no transitions in Tai Chi, there are only fighting applications).

2. The Most Important Energy is Peng Energy and it Must Be Maintained At All Times: Peng requires the ground connection. It’s an expansive force, as if your body is inflated like a balloon. When you try to push a basketball or beach ball into a pool of water, peng is the feeling you get that — even though the ball is going into the water, pressure is building for it to spring back. Peng and the ground path must be connected through all movement. If it isn’t, you aren’t doing Tai Chi. Peng is involved in every “energy” in Tai Chi.

3. All Movement Must Be Connected Through the Body: Whole-body movement is crucial. Power should flow like a ribbon from the ground, connected. All I have to do is ask another Tai Chi person to grab me with both hands and pull me down. It becomes quickly obvious that they have no concept of whole-body movement.

4. Silk-Reeling is a Key Component of Tai Chi: It’s amazing how poorly this skill is taught, when it is one of the founding principles of Tai Chi. Yang LuChan would have learned it in the Chen Village before he created Yang style, but it has been lost. Some teachers actually say that silk-reeling happens when you “imagine” chi spiraling from the ground through the attacking hand. That’s wrong, too. Silk-reeling is a way of spiraling and moving power in a connected way through the body. It relies on the first three concepts (ground, peng and whole-body movement) plus the next two.

5. Dan Tien Rotation: Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang says Tai Chi is “One Principle, Three Techniques.” The main principle is “Dan Tien guides all movement and when one part moves, all parts move.” The three techniques are “dan tien rotating side to side; dan t’ien rotating over and back; dan t’ien rotating in a combination of these directions. Dan t’ien rotation must be involved in every movement.

6. Opening and Closing the Kua: Some past Tai Chi masters have said that “to understand the kua is to understand Tai Chi.” But I see Tai Chi players all the time who couldn’t find their kua with both hands because they’ve never been taught this concept. Every movement in Tai Chi involves opening one kua and closing the other in some way.

7. Maintain a Centered Stance: I saw a video recently of a guy teaching tai chi and he began Grasp The Swallow’s Tail. His right hip suddenly stuck out to the right and it appeared that the slightest push would send him off-balance. In Chen tai chi, standing stake is used to help you relax, sink, develop peng, build leg strength, tuck the hips slightly and remain centered — but then almost every movement in the form is performed to maintain a centered stance. In Chen Tai Chi, beginning students are made to hold stances while the entire class is corrected individually. Often, they collapse from leg fatigue. It takes a lot of strength to hold a centered stance. The better the stance, the harder it is to hold. And this is one reason you see such powerful legs on Chen masters. If you think pain is not involved in Tai Chi practice, you are not studying Tai Chi.

Those are my top concepts of internal movement. You add to this little things like keeping the head up, hollow the chest, keep the knees slightly bent, and the small things that help refine your Tai Chi.

Americans are prone to self-delusion. If a guy tells us he’s a master, we believe it and everything he says is the truth and it can’t be denied. And by golly if my master tells me I’m learning Tai Chi, then I’m learning Tai Chi.

Put these “masters” in front of the real deal and they crumble like a house of cards. In the meantime, they’re teaching Americans the wrong things, having them “cultivate chi” instead of learn to move properly. They focus on the trees — keeping the wrists straight and the shoulders sunk–and they ignore (or don’t know) the forest, where the real skills are. Too often, the teachers were not taught high-quality Tai Chi.

The best you can do for yourself is to NOT believe everything an authority figure tells you, but to investigate, research and compare, and don’t close your mind to the possibility that you just might be learning pretty poor quality Tai Chi.

Ken Gullette has studied martial arts for 36 years and owns one of the best online martial arts schools in the world, teaching Chen Tai Chi, Hsing-I Chuan, and Baguazhang to members worldwide through video lessons, audio, e-books, conference calls, and personal coaching. He has studied with members of the Chen family — creators of Tai Chi — and their disciples. He also has a blog that’s dedicated to high-quality internal arts.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/why-tai-chi-in-america-is-so-weak-1693591.html

While this debate about gynecomastia surgery sounds purely rhetorical, it has profound implications for potential patients, plastic surgeons, and insurance companies. But let¹s focus on the patient.

Obviously, if surgery for male breasts were considered reconstructive, then insurance companies would pay for it. Women with large breasts get breast reductions paid for by insurance. So why shouldn’t men with breasts also have their breast reductions paid for by insurance?

It is because the reason insurance pays for female breast reduction surgery is that many of these women have certain bothersome symptoms, such neck/back pain, rashes under the breasts, and grooving from their bras. So it is covered not just because the woman has overly large breasts per se, but because of the symptoms the large breasts cause.

Fortunately or unfortunately- it depends upon how you look at it ¬ there are no such symptoms from oversized male breasts. But it doesn’t mean that these men do not suffer more than woman with large breasts do.

With the exception of some very rare cases, there is no equivalent problem to the neck and back pain of a woman with large breasts. The man suffers on the inside, humiliated and embarrassaed. While oversized breasts on a woman cause back and physical pain, at least they are one of the signs of womanliness.

And that is exactly why gynecomastia is so distressing to a man. Because they are so very much the hallmark of a woman’s body, they are anathema to any man. A flat and firm chest is as much a part of an ideal man’s body as shapely breasts are part of an ideal woman’s body.

In my opinion, insurance should cover male breast reduction. While gynecomastia surgery is purely cosmetic in the sense that there is no functional component to it, it is also true that another definition of cosmetic surgery is to improve the normal. While many men do develop male breasts, it is by definition not normal, and therefore having gynecomastia surgery should be considered reconstructive, and hence paid for by insurance.

Well, enough fantasizing. Insurers do not see it that way. And with potential changes for medical care in the US, there is no reason to believe that surgery for man boobs will be paid for by insurance companies or the government. I only wish more men realized how common gynecomastia is. Perhaps they would be less embarrassed. Or how relatively simple the surgery is to correct gynecomastia. It may sound expensive, but the cost is actually reasonable when judged over the many years of outstanding improvement gynecomastia surgery brings to a man¹s life. That is why it is now one of the fastest growing cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to those that are in need of surgery on the web that are looking into surgery for man boobs.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery procedures like gynecomastia surgery, breast reduction for men and other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He offers a directory of plastic surgeons across the US

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/is-gynecomastia-a-reconstructive-procedure-1692259.html

Bodyweight training is a great way to get in shape and stay in shape.  Particularly when you don’t have access to conventional weight training equipment like free weights or other resistance machines like cables.

Unfortunately, bodyweight training can be a bit more limited because you only have your body and gravity at your disposal.  This can cause your workout to get dull quickly if you don’t know how to mix it up a little bit.  Let’s face it, doing the same old moves over and over again with no variety can be boring.

So, let’s mix it up!  Let’s take some of the most popular bodyweight moves and tweak them so they’re new and exciting again, shall we?

Squats are a great compound move that burns fat fast but wow, can they get stale in a hurry.  Luckily there’s lots of ways to change up a squat.  Try doing one legged squats.  How about Split Squats?

Then there’s Bulgarian Squats (one leg elevated on a bench behind you).

Don’t forget about Sumo Squats, which are also known as Plie Squats.  These are basically a wide stance squat with toes pointing out rather than straight forward.

Heck, you can even take the regular bodyweight squat and do a timed set to see how many squats you can do in a limited time period.  I like to do a 5 minute Power Squat Blast.  My record for proper form bodyweight squats in 5 minutes in 218.  That’s not easy to do, but it’s a great workout.

See? All it takes is a little imagination and there’s a ton of ways to change up a squat.

Now, how about Push-ups?  The ways to change up a push-up seem endless.  Try doing the moves with your hands at different widths, the closer together you put your hands, the more you’ll work your triceps.  Try some pushups with your hands really wide apart.  Try putting one hand near your ribcage and one in the regular spot.  Spiderman pushups (where you bring your knee up to your elbow as your lower your body) are a fun way to change things up.  And finally, don’t forget if this move is getting too easy for you, you can always elevate your feet (on a bench or chair, or if you’re really strong, try the wall).  The higher up you get your feet, the harder the push-up will be.

Now we have to conquer the boredom of the same old Pull-ups over and over.  One of the easiest ways to change up a pull-up is to merely change your grip.  Having your palms facing away from you constitutes regular pull-ups.  Having your palms facing towards you is what is known as a chin-up.

Another way to change up your grip is to widen it.  The further your hands are apart, the harder you’re going to hit your back muscles and develop that “V” look (which also helps your waist look tighter).

Having a hard time mastering the pull-up?  Try “kipping”.  This is where you add a little kick in your body movement to help drive you up to the bar.

If pull-ups are still a challenge to you, try working the negative instead of the positive.  This means you jump up to get yourself up to the bar instead of pulling yourself up.  Then once you’re at the top position you lower yourself to the bottom position very slowly (and very methodically, staying in complete control).  This will help you build up your strength and technique so that eventually you’ll find pulling yourself up much easier.

There!  Now there’s no reason for your next bodyweight workout to feel stale.  Add some of these variations into your routine and you’ll be re-energized.

If you liked these ideas, you might be looking for some Online Fitness Coaching to help you get in the best shape of your life.

Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Weight Trainer and Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname at Girlwithnoname.com. Jackie stays in great shape by working out primarily in and around her home in the city and blogs about her challenges and successes with her fitness routines. She also manages an Online Fitness Coaching program and provides inspiration and tips for anyone else interested in getting in shape or working out.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/is-your-bodyweight-training-routine-getting-stale-1689149.html