Friday, December 11, 2009

Lose Weight In A Way That's Right For You

You look at yourself in the mirror, there's no doubt about it, you need to lose weight. It's time for a change in mental attitude. You can fiddle about with your diet but ultimately it will be your mental attitude that carries you through.

Lose weight for yourself. Others may encourage you but ultimately it's down to you. Formulate your own 'brain plan' and write it all down. Map out the next few months, mark out target weights, days off from your diet, and rewards for progress. Try to find a goal for your weight loss programme, such as a summer holiday, wedding or similar event to aim for, with a treat such as a new outfit to look forward to.

We all know what we have to do, cut down the calories and exercise more but a few tips won't hurt. Read labels carefully. Don't forget that reduced fat isn't always low fat. A reduced-fat product may only have 25 per cent less fat than a full-fat one, but a truly low-fat food will contain less than three per cent fat. Always compare a 'lose weight' product with a similar non-diet one. In some cases the calorie saving isn't actually that great because there's more of another ingredient, for example sugar, to compensate for reduced fat. Don't let diet foods replace those that are naturally healthy and low in fat, such as fruits, vegetables, high-fibre bread and cereals, lean, unprocessed meats and fish and skimmed milk.

You want sustained weight loss. Don't be tempted by crash or fad diets, you'll never be able to maintain the momentum. Weigh yourself each week. Do not be worried about small daily changes in your weight. You should not lose more than 1 to 2 pounds a week. There may be weeks when you do not lose weight. This is normal. But, stay on your diet and you will again start to lose weight. When eating out, consider the calories in each food. Avoid deep fried and battered foods including chips, rich creamy sauces and fat-laden pastry dishes. Instead go for high carbohydrate options such as rice and pasta dishes that fill you up faster. Remember you don't have to eat all three courses - give the starter or dessert a miss. Alternatively stick to two starters. Beware the little extras that can have a big effect on your waistline. Say no to butter on bread or vegetables, cream on puddings and in coffee. And give the after-dinner chocolates a miss. On set menus avoid the cheese board and go for fruit instead. Choose grilled, poached, steamed, braised or baked dishes rather than fried. Pile your plate with vegetables and salad. When you want to lose weight, watch what you drink. Fruit juice sounds healthy but it's full of calories. Try to cut down on alcohol. Most drinks are high in calories. Instead, drink 6 or 7 glasses of water each day.

What you should be aiming for is a subtle change to your lifestyle that banishes the fatty foods and replaces them by equally appetizing healthy foods - take your time over dieting, with a bit more exercise and a few less calories, you'll see the weight beginning to come off, and more importantly, stay off.

About The Author
Copyright Mike Thompson 2006
Mike Thompson writes on a variety of subjects. He runs www.weightlosswebsite.net, a directory and information site for those on the road to a slimmer self. support@homebusinessdirectory.ws

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Do You Know The History Of Trampolines As Exercise Equipment ?

The manufactured trampoline, as we know it today, was created by two men, George Nissen and Larry Griswold. Around 1935, Griswold, then the assistant gymnastics coach at the University of Iowa, and Nissen, a tumbler on the University of Iowa gymnastics team, "made regular jaunts to Bloomington, Illinois where numerous circus people had their winter homes.

Among them were the "Flying Wards", some of the finest trapeze performers in the world. Griswold and Nissen worked out with them at the local YMCA, and frequently helped them make or mend their large trapeze nets. Nissen remembers the hours they spent in the basement of the YMCA, threading the long cords of the nets, using large javelin-head needles. This experience was one of several that led them to the idea of creating a trampoline.

One day, with the help of the wrestling coach at the University of Iowa, Griswold and Nissen bolted together an angle iron frame. A piece of canvas, in which they had inserted grommets along each side, was then attached to the frame by using springs. This was the first trampoline.

Since Nissen was still training for tumbling, they decided to move the trampoline to a YMCA camp where he was an instructor. There, during his free time, Nissen used it for his tumbling training. Immediately, he found that the children loved it. This was the first realization that the trampoline could be more than a piece of equipment to use when performing, or seriously training. It was something that many others could enjoy.

In 1942, Griswold and Nissen decided to formalize their small operation of making trampolines. They created the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company, and history was made.

But where does the name "Trampoline" come from? "El trampolin" means diving board, in Spanish. George Nissen, the co-creator of the competitive style trampoline, heard the word on a performance tour in Mexico in the late 1930's. He liked the sound of it, and decided to Anglicize the spelling and call his bouncing rig a Trampoline, a term he later registered as a trademark.

Find out all you need to know about trampolines. How to use them for best exercise results, and which models to buy. Daily updated blog of news & articles. Click http://www.trampolines-101.com/

About The Author
Jeb Taylor is a fitness guru. He works out on all exercise equipment he thinks will help him. Along with bikes and jogging, Jeb loves bouncing on a trampoline as a fun way to fitness.
artsub2005@yahoo.com

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Why Infrared Saunas Detoxify Your Body Better Than Exercise Or Traditional Saunas

For the ultimate in home health therapy the new Infrared Sauna is sweeping the market for people who are looking for solutions for stress relief, weight loss, skin purification, and even pain management. The Infrared sauna offers cutting edge low heat technology to help you comfortably sweat your toxins away while at the same time allowing deep penetration of joints, muscles, tissues, and increased oxygen and blood circulation. The infrared sauna works by detoxifying the body and actually ridding it of pollutants like aluminum, cadmium, lead and even formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals.

The secret to infrared saunas lies in their lower temperature infrared heat waves emitted, which due to their longer wavelength have the ability to penetrate deeper into the body's tissue. Japanese studies on Infrared saunas have concluded that the sweat generated inside infrared saunas contains up to 300% more toxins than sweat expelled during exercise or traditional steam sauna use.

As your body stores waste and harmful toxins the regular use of Infrared saunas can help rid you of these toxin build ups, and burn up to 600 calories in a single infrared sauna session. Infrared saunas help to purify your body cells and detoxification is made safe and easy through the process of deep tissue infrared heat and elimination sweating. Your whole family can enjoy the safe benefits of using an Infrared sauna. Infrared saunas are now used in health and healing facilities for a range of health problems such as menopause, cancer pain, ulcers, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. In addition, other alternative healing practitioners have suggested Infrared sauna use for hemorrhoids, cystitis, and cirrhosis of the liver, gastritis, hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, and it's known to help with allergies.

Infrared saunas come today in custom sizes that are bound to fit in most any room in your home. If you don't think you have the space it may be a pleasant surprise to know that you can even purchase Infrared saunas in portable and blanket models. If you feel your lifestyle could benefit from regular detoxification and elimination of pollutants, including burning significant calories in the process you owe it to your body's health to explore the many benefits of Infrared Saunas.

About The Author
S.A. Smith is a freelance contributor and editor of the Infrared Sauna Spas information portal which reports on the latest Sauna, Spa and Relaxation Therapies promoting natural detoxification and healing benefits.

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